FBI Director Announces Retirement of Chris Swecker, Assistant Director for the Criminal Investigative Division and Acting Executive Assistant Director for Law Enforcement Services

Washington D.C. - FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III, today announced that Chris Swecker, Assistant Director for the Criminal Investigative Division and Acting Executive Assistant Director (EAD) for Law Enforcement Services will retire from the Bureau to pursue an opportunity in the private sector, effective July 13, 2006.

Director Mueller said, "Chris Swecker has made tremendous contributions to this institution and to the safety and security of the American people. He served as the on-scene commander of the FBI operations in Iraq, managed the dismantlement of a Hizballah terror cell in Charlotte, North Carolina, and oversaw the investigation and capture of top ten fugitive Eric Robert Rudolph. Under his leadership, the FBI has improved oversight of and support for criminal investigations, and brought new levels of sophistication to the use of intelligence in criminal investigations. He strengthened priority programs to fight public corruption, transnational criminal enterprises, and violent gangs, and worked to protect our children and cherished civil rights. Under his direction, the Criminal Investigative Division increased its public corruption efforts by 250 Agents, opened 30 new gang task forces, and established specialized child abduction response teams.

"I would like to thank him for the sacrifices he has made and for his many contributions to protect and serve the American people."

Mr. Swecker entered on duty with the FBI as a Special Agent on June 13, 1982, and served in the Charlotte, North Carolina, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, field offices. He served as a supervisor in the Civil Litigation Unit, Legal Counsel Division, at FBI Headquarters, as acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) in Miami, as ASAC in Houston, and as an Inspector, Inspection Division. He served as Special Agent in Charge of the Charlotte, North Carolina, Field Office from March 23, 1999, until July 7, 2004, when he was named to be Assistant Director for CID. He has served as Acting EAD for Law Enforcement Services since February 1, 2006.

Mr. Swecker is married and has three daughters. He is a member of the North Carolina and Virginia State Bars, and admitted to practice before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.