Football stadiums threat a hoax - FBI
Internet threats of “dirty bomb” attacks at NFL stadiums this weekend were a hoax, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security said tonight.
The FBI made the announcement after agents questioned a 20-year-old Milwaukee man about the threats.
“The investigation has determined that this is a hoax. The public should be reassured of their security as they continue to attend sporting events this weekend,” said the agencies’ joint statement.
FBI agent Douglas Porrini said: “From the information we have, we believe he was involved to some extent, but we don’t know at what level.
“That person was released, but we’re not saying that he won’t be charged.”
The threat, dated October 12, appeared on a website, The Friend Society, that links to various online forums and off-colour cartoons. Its author, identified in the message as “javness,” said trucks would deliver radiological bombs to stadiums in New York, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Cleveland and Oakland, California on Sunday, and that Osama bin Laden would claim responsibility.
The Homeland Security Department alerted authorities yesterday in the cities mentioned, as well as the NFL and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
But the FBI and Homeland Security said tonight there was no intelligence indicating such an attack might be imminent.
“I don’t think it was put out there to be real,” said FBI agent Linda Krieg in Milwaukee. “Whoever put it out there is not in a position to actually carry through on it. It was not a credible threat.”
