FBI violates snitch rules, says Inspector General

Via Talk Left, the New York Times announces a just-released audit from the Office of the Inspector General revealing that FBI agents "frequently violate" rules regarding undercover activities and confidential informant use. The whole thing is a fat 300+ pages, but the link is here (pdf). Reported the Times:

A review of 120 confidential informant files from FBI offices around the country found violations in 104 cases, or 87 percent, Inspector General Glenn A. Fine said. His 301-page report, parts of which were blacked out, examined FBI compliance with rules that govern most criminal investigations.

The report said agents failed to assess informants' suitability or get permission for informants to engage in activity that otherwise would be illegal. Agents did not convey proper instructions or tell prosecutors when informants had committed crimes that were not authorized by their FBI handlers, Fine said.

Regular readers know I'm shocked, shocked, SHOCKED, to hear that. I'm not sure I'll make it through the whole thing, but I printed out the chapter on snitches.

UPDATE: See Slate's coverage. And more from Federal Crimes Blog.