Judge criticizes Justice Department leaks in anthrax investigation

Continuing leaks from within the Justice Department describing former Army biologist Steven Hatfill as a "person of interest" in the FBI's investigation into the 2001 anthrax attacks must be halted, a federal judge has demanded.

U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton said Thursday he was troubled by recent news stories citing anonymous law enforcement sources as saying the FBI was still interested in Hatfill, the Washington Post reported. Walton is presiding over a civil defamation lawsuit filed by Hatfill against the Justice Department.

"They're undermining what this country is supposed to be about - that is, that we treat people fairly," Walton said of the anonymous sources. "If you don't have enough to indict this man, then it's wrong to drag his name through the mud."

"That's not a government I want to be a part of. It's wrong, and you all need to do something about it," he added.

Justice Department officials have told the FBI to do more to prevent leaks, said department attorney Elizabeth Shapiro. "We agree with you, judge," she said.

Walton ordered the Justice Department yesterday to respond to the allegations made by Hatfill in his lawsuit within 30 days, the Post reported.

The judge also indicated he does not believe the investigation would be closed anytime soon into the letter attacks that killed five people.

"It doesn't seem to me there's a significant likelihood of anything in the near future that's going to change the status quo," said Walton, who said his conclusion was based on a sealed FBI affidavit.