FBI Adds New Squad To Target Corrupt Officers

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FBI Adds New Squad To Target Corrupt Officers

Mark Winne reports

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FBI Adds New Squad To Target Corrupt OfficersMark Winne reports

Posted: 8:45 pm EDT August 10, 2011

Updated: 10:29 pm EDT August 10, 2011

ATLANTA -- The top official at the FBI field office in Atlanta told Channel 2 there have been so many law enforcement corruption cases that he’s added a new squad to target them specifically.

FBI Special Agent-in-charge Brian Lamkin sat down with investigative reporter Mark Winne to discuss how his agency is tackling the growing problem of wrongdoing on the part of government officials in Georgia.

Lamkin confirmed the FBI is currently investigating numerous cases of police and political corruption, and he indicated some of them will become high-profile cases when they go public.

The arrest of four former Fulton County Jail officers in June on corruption charges is just one recent example.

Lamkin said, “The FBI office here in Atlanta is one of the top offices in addressing corrupt activity.”

Lamkin indicated the recent surge in corruption cases has caused him to restructure the way the FBI investigates corruption with the addition of a second corruption squad.

“It's a lot of ground to cover, and so we need a lot more boots on the ground,” said Lamkin.

Having both squads will allow the first squad to handle allegations of wrongdoing involving law enforcement officers as well as civil rights cases and related crimes like human trafficking. The new corruption squad was established to deal more effectively with crooked legislators, council members, commissioners, judges and others.

Civil rights activist the Rev. Markel Hutchins told Winne he supports the FBI’s recent addition.

“The people who are most likely adversely affected don’t have the resources to fight back when public corruption by law enforcement takes place, so we think this is definitely a necessary and important measure,” said Hutchins.

Lamkin said by and large the vast majority of government officials are good, honest, and hardworking people, but that those who continue to engage in corruption at the local, state or federal level will likely become the subject of an FBI investigation.

Lamkin said he wants the public to report any corruption, “Call GBI, call the FBI, call those trusted law enforcement officials, and bring it to our attention.”

Lamkin asked if you know of any corruption please report it by calling the FBI’s corruption hotline at 877-428-5324.