Federal Government Pries Into People's Lives

News and Opinion for Democrats Against Bush -- Part II

FBI Gets More Power to Pry Into People's Lives

' A little-noticed measure approved by both the House and Senate would significantly expand the F.B.I.'s power to demand financial records, without a judge's approval, from ... securities dealers, currency exchanges, car dealers, travel agencies, post offices, casinos, pawnbrokers and any other institution doing cash transactions with "a high degree of usefulness in criminal, tax or regulatory matters." '

New York Times November 12, 2003

F.B.I.'s Reach Into Records Is Set to Grow

By ERIC LICHTBLAU

The complete article may be purchased online from the New York Times archives at-- http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0C17F7345D0C718DDDA80994DB404482

Excerpt--

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 — A little-noticed measure approved by both the House and Senate would significantly expand the F.B.I.'s power to demand financial records, without a judge's approval, from car dealers, travel agents, pawnbrokers and many other businesses, officials said on Tuesday.

Traditional financial institutions like banks and credit unions are frequently subject to administrative subpoenas from the Federal Bureau of Investigation to produce financial records in terrorism and espionage investigations. Such subpoenas, which are known as national security letters, do not require the bureau to seek a judge's approval before issuing them.

The measure now awaiting final approval in Congress would significantly broaden the law ...

Critics said the measure would give the federal government greater power to pry into people's private lives. ...

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/12/politics/12RECO.html?th

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