Report: Researcher Ordered Anthrax Study
— -- Report: Anthrax by Mail Study Launched by Researcher
F O R T D E T R I C K, Md., June 27 — A biodefense researcher whose home was searched by FBI agents commissioned a 1999 study depicting ahypothetical anthrax attack by mail, The (Baltimore) Sun reportedtoday.
The study was commissioned by Dr. Steven J. Hatfill, 48, whilehe was working in McLean, Va., for defense contractor ScienceApplications International Corp., the newspaper said.
The study was written by bioterrorism expert William C. PatrickIII and describes placing 2.5 grams of Bacillus globigii, ananthrax simulant, in a standard business envelope, according to theSun.
The newspaper said portions of the study were read to it by aperson who has a copy.
A telephone message by The Associated Press left today for anFBI spokesman in Washington was not immediately returned.
Hatfill's telephone at the Detrick Plaza Apartments has beendisconnected and nobody answered a knock on the door Wednesday byan Associated Press reporter.
Authorities said Hatfill volunteered to have the apartmentsearched to clear his name.
Hatfill has denied involvement in the anthrax mailings,complaining to The Sun in a March telephone message that he hadbeen fired from the defense contractor and blaming news mediainquiries.
"I've been in this field for a number of years, working until 3o'clock in the morning, trying to counter this type of weapon ofmass destruction, and, sir, my career is over at this time,"Hatfill said.
Hatfill worked in the virology division of the U.S. Army MedicalInstitute of Infectious Disease at Fort Detrick, base spokesmanChuck Dasey said. He worked for two years at the institute on afellowship from the National Research Council, Dasey said.
He stopped working at Fort Detrick in September 1999 and wasemployed by Science Applications until March 4.
The Sun said Hatfill was dismissed after his Defense Departmentsecurity clearance was suspended on Aug. 23. Ben Haddad, spokesmanfor the defense contractor, said Wednesday he couldn't comment onthe report.
Although Hatfill likely had access to anthrax in labs sharedwith bacteriology researchers, his primary duties didn't involveworking with anthrax, Dasey said.
Five people died in the anthrax attacks that began in lateSeptember.
—The Associated Press
FAA Bans Flights Near 3 LandmarksW A S H I N G T O N, June 27 —The Federal Aviation Administration is banningflights near the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore and the St.Louis Gateway Arch during the July 4 holidays.
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