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CNN Live Sunday
Hatfill Denies Connection to Anthrax Attacks
Aired August 11, 2002 - 17:02 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KRIS OSBORN, CNN ANCHOR: Steven Hatfill, of course a former biotech researcher for the military, is proclaiming his innocence today. Hatfill was one of a number of scientists under scrutiny in recent weeks in connection, of course, with last year's anthrax attacks. Today, he spoke to the media for the first time about the investigation. CNN's Jeanne Meserve was there. She joins us now live from Washington. Hello, Jeanne.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kris. Dr. Steven Hatfill was forceful and unambiguous in saying he is innocent.
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HATFILL: I'm a medical doctor and a biomedical scientist. I am a loyal American and I love my country. I have had nothing to do in any way, shape, or form with the mailing of these anthrax letters and it is extremely wrong for anyone to contend or suggest that I have.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MESERVE: Hatfill says he has been the victim of "defamatory speculation and innuendo in the media" because of leaks from the FBI. He cited the fact that the media was tipped off to searches of his apartment, although he had been assured before the first search that it would be quiet, private, and very low key.
The investigation and the resulting publicity has had an effect. Hatfill was recently placed on paid administrative leave by his new employer, Louisiana State University.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HATFILL: I acknowledge the right of the authorities and the press to satisfy themselves as to whether I am the anthrax mailer. This does not, however, give them the right to smear me and gratuitously make a wasteland of my life in the process. I will not be railroaded. I am a loyal American. I am extremely proud of the work I have done for the United States and for my country and her people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MESERVE: Government sources say Hatfill is one of about 20 people they're looking at in connection with the anthrax attacks which killed five people last fall. One reason for their interest, between 1997 and '99, Hatfill worked as a scientist at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute in Fort Detrick, Maryland, once headquarters for the U.S. Biological Warfare Program.
Hatfill is an expert in viruses and says he did not work with anthrax, a bacteria but his lawyer today could not say definitively whether Hatfill had access to anthrax or whether or not he possessed the expertise to produce the high quality anthrax in the Capitol Hill letters.
His lawyer, Victor Glassburg (ph) did rebut several recent news reports. For instance, sources have told CNN that bloodhounds given a scent pack from the anthrax letters sent to Senators Daschle and Leahy reacted strongly to Hatfill and places he had been including his apartment. His lawyer today called that technique "bogus."
Sources also have told CNN that Hatfill had been seen dumping material from his apartment. His lawyer says that's because he was preparing for a move. His lawyer confirms that a novel about a bio weapons attack was found on Hatfill's computer, but that he says only proves that the FBI is leaking information.
The FBI had no public comment today about Mr. Hatfill or his accusations, but sources have told CNN no arrests are imminent. As for Hatfill, he is going ahead and moving to Louisiana in hopes of getting back his job and his reputation. Kris, back to you.
OSBORN: Jeanne Meserve live in Washington.
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