Top FBI official in L.A. formally recuses himself from investigation into Tom Girardi and his law firm, says he never met Girardi or anyone from his firm
FBI official in L.A. formally recuses himself from investigation into Tom Girardi and his law firm, says he never met Girardi or anyone from his firm
FBI official in L.A.: ‘I did not meet Tom Girardi in any professional capacity’
Former FBI official Michael Gaeta recuses himself from the L.A. investigation of Tom Girardi and his law firm.
Gaeta worked as special agent in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office from 1992 to 1997. He was placed on paid leave in 2007 before being placed on unpaid leave.
His recusal was confirmed by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who previously called on Gaeta to step down.
But while the FBI official did not meet Girardi in person, he did meet him on at least one occasion.
In a letter sent to Villaraigosa on Nov. 15, 2015, Gaeta said that he had attended a dinner party with Girardi, but not in a professional capacity.
He wrote that he did not know Girardi and he did not discuss business with him “at all.”
“I want to be clear from the outset that I did not meet Tom Girardi in any professional capacity in which I would be expected to receive anything of value,” the letter begins.
“I have met him many times, either by myself or with other FBI employees, and did not discuss any confidential information or business with him,” Gaeta wrote.
Gaeta was asked about allegations that Girardi has provided information to former NSA contractor Edward Snowden and that he, Girardi, has received the classified information in exchange for speaking engagements.
“In all these matters I have acted at my discretion and independently of the FBI. I have had no communication with any FBI employee or agent regarding those matters,” Gaeta wrote.
Gaeta went on to
