Scientist Kept Security Clearance Even as He Became Lead Suspect

Terrorism

Scientist Kept Security Clearance Even as He Became Lead Suspect

Posted Aug 4, 2008, 05:16 am CST
By Debra Cassens Weiss

Until government scientist Bruce Ivins was banned from his laboratory on July 10 because of his deteriorating emotional condition, his security clearance allowed him to work in the lab’s most dangerous facilities.

Ivins killed himself last week before he could be indicted in the 2001 anthrax attacks that killed five people. Even as Ivins became a lead suspect, his security clearance allowed him to handle deadly biological agents, the Washington Post reports.

On the day Ivins’ security clearance was revoked, he took part in a briefing on a new vaccine for bubonic plague, a colleague told the Post.