The Bombshell Disclosures Regarding Adam Schiff -- There Is Much More To Be Learned.
There is an FBI Case File Because a File Number Was Assigned -- What Other Serialized Documents Are There Under That Number?
We haven’t even started to learn all there is to know about Adam Schiff and the scope of the criminal conspiracy he was a part of with regard to undermining the 2016 candidacy of Pres. Trump, the first term in Office of President Trump, and the efforts to prevent him from running/winning a second term in 2024.
There will be a need shortly — if not in already — for daily “welfare checks” on Adam Schiff. The way conspiratorial webs spin out in unforeseen directions once you begin to pull on them can be truly unimaginable. Yesterday’s revelations about Schiff’s organized and systematic leaking of intelligence information — including classified information — for the express purpose of hurting the Trump campaign in 2016, and later the Trump Administration once in office, is just one thread being exposed — just a bit — to public scrutiny.
So far as I can tell — and I have not had the opportunity to look through all the various reporting on the disclosure — what was released on Monday afternoon were four FBI Form 302s of interviews with a “Whistleblower” (WB) — a former House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) staffer. The subject of the interviews was the orchestrated process of leaks to the media by HPSCI staffers as directed by Schiff beginning in the fall of 2016. The dates of the interviews were as follows:
August 2, 2017
December 5, 2017
November 4, 2019
May 23, 2023
In addition, on October 18, 2017 — between the first and second 302s — there was an “Electronic Communication” created. An “EC” reflects an internal communication between FBI personnel to share information — sort of an internal memo. It appears that the Oct. 18 EC involved information the sender received from a different HPSCI staffer about firing of the staffer whose interviews are reflected in the four 302s.
Here are a few observations before I get into the substance of the information in the 302s.
The use of a Form 302 signifies that the information is “testimonial.” The person interviewed is a potential witness. On the subjects asked about during the interview, the individual interviewed provided the information as reflected by the Agent who wrote the 302. There are normally 2 agents present. One writes the 302 after the interview is done, and both sign-off as an indication that the contents accurately describe what was said.
The FBI conducts interviews in this manner only after a case file has been opened. The 302 that results from the interview has to go somewhere — it goes into the electronic case file under the File Number for the case. Every document has the electronic case file number on it, and when the document is uploaded into the case file, it is given a “Serial” — “Serial 1", “Serial 2”, etc. The Serial number is listed at the top of the first page.
The Case File is normally opened with an “Opening EC” — the tasking from a Supervisor to open a new file with the factual predicate for doing so set forth in the EC, often in summarized fashion. The level of detail can vary from case to case. The Case File remains “Open” until a “Closing EC” is approved and filed in the Case File.
Between the two there should be records that reflect all the various types of investigative activity that have taken place as well as the results. If a Grand Jury subpoena was requested, a copy of the request and of the Subpoena issued is included as a serialized document. When the records are received in response, there is a serialized document created and uploaded into the case file that reflects that event.
If there is a Case File, then there is a Case Agent assigned who is responsible for the contents of the Case File. This person can change over time for a variety of reasons, but there is generally always someone who is able to answer questions about the contents of the case file.
So, among the initial questions that I’d be seeking answers to based on the release of these five documents would be:
What was the factual predicate for opening this case?
The first 302 is dated Aug. 2, 2017 — how long before that interview was the case file opened? What, if anything, was done between the Opening EC and this interview?
Is the same case file number on every document — or is there more than one case file? If so, why?
How many serialized documents are there in the case file(s)? What work was done between the Opening EC and the Closing EC?
Are the other 302s that reflect interviews with anyone other than the original “whistleblower”?
Was a Pros Memo ever prepared for transmittal to DOJ to seek prosecution of Schiff or anyone else?
What is the date on the Closing EC? What justification was given for closing the file?
