COOPERATING WITNESSES
Generally speaking, the FBI processes thousands of pieces of information each day—some generated by Bureau agents—but most because the public is inclined to report suspicious activity and street crime. A bank teller might report seeing a suspicious car the day a robbery occurs or a school guard will file a report indicating activity at a local house suggests somebody is selling marijuana. While these reports are usually generated at the local level, as soon as a bank robbery occurs or some other violation for which the FBI has jurisdiction, case agents will generally collect these reports because many times a suspect has already been identified by local police because of other crimes. But still, some reports are generated because the FBI employs a small contingent of Cooperating Witnesses and Confidential Informants—usually working alone—all for the purpose of collecting intelligence and gathering information.
While the small army of Cooperating Witnesses and Confidential Informants are “not” Bureau employees, these individuals are the eyes and ears of the government authorized to collect intelligence. And combined with technology, these individuals can be an effective tool combating crime and collecting information. But like any investigative tool, a Cooperating Witness and/or a Confidential Informant can abuse their authority, manufacture evidence, and/or make a mistake, particularly when left unsupervised. Because conversations can be selectively recorded and/or electronically “erased,” Cooperating Witnesses and Confidential Informants need to be closely supervised by handling agents to ensure instructions are followed and evidence protected.
Unlike a Confidential Informant, Cooperating Witnesses are told their assistance generally will become known since most cooperation agreements also include a provision concerning conversations being recorded. Because the FBI and/or the government cannot conceal the identity of individuals used to “record” conversations, a Cooperating Witness is told his/her identity will be made known whenever prosecutors file criminal charges—usually when documents are exchanged as a result of discovery process.
Since a large part of his success has been attributed to using Cooperating Witnesses and Confidential Informants, particularly in complicated FBI undercover scenarios, Mr. WEDICK has “testified” as a government expert. Accordingly, he can be a valuable asset to any defense team needing an FBI expert concerning Confidential Informants and Cooperating Witnesses, particularly if the matter involves White-Collar-Crime, Organized Crime, Corruption, Terrorism, and/or FBI Undercover Operations.
If you need assistance, he suggests he can be contacted either at his office and/or you can send him a brief email detailing your request and he’ll get back to you as soon as he can.
