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Press Release
For Immediate Release
November 5, 2003
U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas
1100 Commerce St., 3rd Fl.
Dallas, TX 75242-1699


Phone: (214) 659-8600
Fax: (214) 767-0978
www.usdoj.gov/usao/txn

Local FBI Employee Indicted for Public Corruption
United States Attorney Jane J. Boyle announced that a federal grand jury in Dallas returned a ten-count indictment today charging Lancaster, Texas, resident, Jeffrey D. Fudge, with various felony charges related to the misuse of his position of trust as a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigative analyst. Fudge, age 33, was arrested and fired at the FBI Headquarters late this afternoon.

Fudge had been an FBI employee since 1988. Specifically, the indictment charges him with eight counts of exceeding authorized access to a government computer, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(2)(B)&(C) and (c)(2)(B)(ii) and two counts of making false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2)&(3). If convicted on all charges, Fudge faces a statutory maximum sentence of 50 years imprisonment and a $2.5 million fine.

U.S. Attorney Boyle said, "Fudge's actions, as described in the indictment, make clear that he has absolutely no place in federal law enforcement. I commend the DOJ-OIG and the FBI for taking strong and appropriate action upon learning of his misdeeds. His law enforcement days are over."
As an investigative analyst, Fudge's duties included conducting database searches using the FBI computer system, serving subpoenas, analyzing telephone records, and generally assisting FBI agents in conducting criminal and administrative investigations. The FBI computer systems he accessed included the Automated Case Support system (ACS), the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), the Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC), the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS), and the FBI Network (FBINET). He was authorized to access FBI computers and FBI computer systems and programs only for official business and "need to know."

According to the indictment, from October 7, 1997 through April 25, 2003, Jeffrey D. Fudge accessed FBI files and computer programs on active or pending, pending inactive, closed, and non-existent FBI investigations and files and disclosed information from the files to friends and family members. He also accessed the FBI's computer system to determine if the FBI was investigating the person about whom he inquired, including several locally prominent citizens. Likewise, he accessed FBI files to satisfy his own curiosity about FBI investigations. One false statement count in the indictment alleges that Fudge made false statements to agents of the Department of Justice who were investigating this case and failed to fully disclose the names of people to whom he had disclosed information from the FBI files and computer programs.

An indictment is an accusation by a grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty.

Guadalupe Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Dallas said, "I am deeply saddened and disappointed by the actions of this former employee. The trust and confidence bestowed on government employees, especially those in the FBI, must not be diminished."

Steven P. Beauchamp, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice - Office of the Inspector General, Dallas Field Office, stated, "This indictment serves as a reminder that the Department will not tolerate the misuse and unauthorized disclosure of sensitive law enforcement information. In today's world, and with advancing technology, there is too much at stake. All of law enforcement must be vigilant and protect against those who would compromise our most important asset – our information."

U.S. Attorney Boyle praised the investigative efforts of the Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Uhl.
    

CONTACT: 214/659-8707


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Last updated November 20, 2003
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