Paul M. Abbate Named Special Agent in Charge of Detroit Division

Outgoing Director Robert S. Mueller, III appointed Paul M. Abbate special agent in charge of the FBI’s Detroit Division. Mr. Abbate most recently served as special agent in charge of the Counterterrorism Division in the Washington Field Office, where he oversaw the Joint Terrorism Task Force and all FBI counterterrorism personnel, investigations, and operations in the National Capital Region.

Mr. Abbate began his career as a special agent in March 1996. Upon completion of training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, Mr. Abbate was assigned to the New York Field Office, where he worked in the Criminal Division and white-collar crime program. During his tenure in New York, Mr. Abbate was also a member of the SWAT team.

In December 2003, Mr. Abbate transferred to FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he served as supervisory special agent in the Iraq Unit within the Counterterrorism Division. Mr. Abbate provided program management for counterterrorism and counterintelligence investigations and oversaw FBI counterterrorism operations and personnel deployments in Iraq.

In October 2005, Mr. Abbate deployed to Iraq, where he served as the senior FBI liaison officer to the U.S. Department of Defense and led a group of specialized FBI personnel conducting counterterrorism investigations and operations in theater.

From February 2006 to December 2009, Mr. Abbate served as supervisory special agent on the Newark Division Joint Terrorism Task Force. He had responsibility for all international terrorism matters within the territories of Essex, Monmouth, and Ocean County, New Jersey.

In September 2007, Mr. Abbate was temporarily detailed to the Directorate of Intelligence at FBI Headquarters, where he provided support in the implementation of several national-level, intelligence-related initiatives.

In February 2008, Mr. Abbate deployed to Afghanistan and served as the FBI deputy on-scene commander, leading FBI counterterrorism operations and personnel in theater.

In December 2009, Mr. Abbate returned to the Counterterrorism Division at FBI Headquarters, serving as assistant section chief in the International Terrorism Operations Section I, where he provided national-level oversight for all international terrorism investigations within the United States. During this assignment, Mr. Abbate was member of a team that received the 2010 Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service.

In July 2010, Mr. Abbate reported to the Los Angeles Field Office and served as an assistant special agent in charge for counterterrorism matters, overseeing the primary branch of the Los Angeles Joint Terrorism Task Force.

In August 2011, Mr. Abbate was named section chief of the International Terrorism Operations Section II in the Counterterrorism Division at FBI Headquarters. In that position, Mr. Abbate provided national-level program management and oversight of all FBI international terrorism investigations and extraterritorial operations outside of the United States.