F.B.I. Is Slow to Translate Intelligence, Report Says

From The New York Times:

WASHINGTON — The F.B.I.’s collection of wiretapped phone calls and intercepted e-mail has been soaring in recent years, but the bureau is failing to review “significant amounts” of such material partly for lack of translators, according to a Justice Department report released Monday.

“Not reviewing such material increases the risk that the F.B.I. will not detect information in its possession that may be important to its counterterrorism and counterintelligence efforts,” said the report, which was issued by the office of the department’s inspector general, Glenn A. Fine.

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Update #1: Report: FBI not reviewing all of its evidence -- AP
Update #2: Response to OIG Audit of the FBI’s Foreign Language Translation Program -- FBI Press Release

My Comment: The FBI counters that their ability to translate information and intelligence has improved since the OIG audit was done. But when I read stories like this one, I must confess that I have trouble taking the FBI completely at its word.

All large organizations will always have problems, that is why oversight by Congress, Homeland Security, and the Justice Department are essential. I am sure there is going to be a follow-up on this OIG audit, and I will inform everyone when it becomes available.