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ABSCAM and Temptation As one whe served for over 35 years with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, | ami shockedat thé February editorial, “De we.want a Federal Bureau of instigation?” You allege entrapment by FBI agents but do not mention that the entire activity in ABSCAM was approved and constantly monitored by high officials of the Department of Justice and by FBI Director William H, Webster, himself o former federal judge. You cite one instance where U.S. District Judge John P. Fullam overturned two convictions ” for alleged entrapment of ABSCAM victims, but you do not list the other . ABSCAM cases. - I feel the FBI should pursue ’ vigorously white-collar crime in order to prosecute corruption by public officials wherever it rears its ugly head. Experience has shown how difficult it has been legally to root out and prosecute successfully such corruption and, therefore, new approaches such as “sting programs” by law enforcement ate. necessary. They have been very ' suecessful and in mast instances have withstood court chailenge< ‘* Youreditorial touches on the legal | - definition of entrapment and notes that * where a: person is predisposed fo ‘ ‘ commit an offense, the fact that " government. agents merely afford him — " @n opportunity to de so does not : constitute entrapment. _ Common sense says that a public official imbued with honesty and integrity has but to say “No” when - offered a bribe. ” . Your editorial alleges that while the FBI was focusing its energies on ABSCAM, the country experienced ifs sharpest rise in crime in four years. You de not tell readers that the FBI dees not have jurisdiction over lecal crimes such _ a8 rape; robbery, assault, murder, ete, unless the crime occurs on a@ government reservation. Your censure in this connection should be directed to appropriate local authorities, not the FBI. Kenneth 3. Hoser Bethesda, Md, sheuld be ortesfed he Seniee if he | just have finished your February Comment and found it most interesting. But Estill. don’t have an answer te something you brought up. A jury of 12 good men and women listened to the evidence in a case, lastirig some weeks. With all 12 in agreement, a verdict wes presented te the judge, whe overturned the findings and reversed the verdict. Why should so many people lose their valuable tinte on jury duty, when a judge has the final say? William-€. Roche Java Center, N.Y, As a former speciat agent of the FBI I disassociate myself from the views expressed in the February issue with regard to the FBI. The article is.an insult and affront to the FBI and all of its employees, both past ond present. The record of the FBI in its service in the law-enforcement field and in its contributions to the internal security of our country specks for itself, Joseph M. Wysolmerski Melean, Va. ” Asan PBL agent I disagree with the February Comment.. in ABSCAM, every precaution was taken to ensure that “entrapment” did not occur. You speak of temptation and its evils. Yes, the FBI offered ; temptation, It is the proper role of the FBI to offer “temptation” in.an investigation such as this, There was probable cause to offer that temptation. However none of the congressmen has established sufficient probable cause for accepting if. Possibly the proper role of the FBI. would be te prosecute burglars and * robbers and ignore the “fences’’ who encourage thefts by buying stolen property. I disagree with that hypothesis, just as disagree that the FBI should act as an ostrich and ignore allegations of congressional: misconduct, which have a greater impact on our moral fabric. ° William: P. Lawler Jr, Sevennah, Ga. No. member of Congress.or the president of the United Siates should use the defense of “entrapment.” Any member ef the Senote, House of Representatives or the White House a4 xh a Re re ee ara a ce » accepts an iNegal bribe regordiess of the circumstances. c One representative arrested in the - « ABSCAM operation was Richard Kelly from Florida. | veted for him. t hope he goes to jail, To think that a man whe represents me would take an illegal bribe for any amount of money or for eny gain causes me te believe that Shere is ne hope for our form of | - government. | say more power to the FBI. i hope that it weeds.out every rotten apple in the entire government operation. s to: : Wilson C. Stober Dunedin Beach, Fis. The president of United Cement, Lime and Gypsum Workers International. Union and editor of our monthly union magazine, the Veice, has-‘asked me to write for permission fe use in our miagaxine your February 1981 editorial, “Do we want a Federal Bureau of Instigation?” It is a fine editorial and we would be very pleased if you would let us reprint it, zoos ; Patricia H. Strandt SQ 4° Managing Editor, The Voice “nga Norridge, ii, a After learning some members of Congress were accépting bribes for political favors, lam happy the FBI had the courage to reot them out and cause them to. be brought to trial before a jury of their peers, which convicted * every one of them. Attempting to smear the FBI for the crime wave in America is.a distortion of the purpose of the FBI, which is charged with investigation of selected ederal laws and cannot go charging off investigating what it desires: ; JOH. Murphy + an . _ Savannah, Ge. Time and money were well spent on the ABSCAM case, because the people caught had reputations for accepting bribes. The morality exhibited by our elected officials influences the morality of the general public and young people in particular, We safely can assume-an officehalder is elected for his promises: and integrity, not for his dishonesty and greed. By accepting a bribe an elected official is betraying the trust of the people who elected him and hurts all, infuding honest politici destroying CL overnihen a Broggeman hiet River Fatic“Minn,. : | Fan,