Skip navigation

Feds to probe e-mails in N.Y. terror alert

E-mail warnings reportedly sent to city's wealthy before threat publicized

A police officer and a dog stand behind police lines in Penn Station in New York City
Seth Wenig / Reuters file
A police officer and a dog stand guard in Penn Station in New York City on Oct. 7 when part of the station was closed to investigate a suspicious liquid in a can.
Video: Security  
U.S, Russia look to corral loose nukes
July 5: Although the European nation has made strides in securing thousands of weapons and tons of materials, it remains at odds with the U.S. over the next steps. NBC’s Jim Maceda reports.

Text alerts on msnbc.com

Breaking news alerts (about 1 per day)
Click here to sign up or text NEWS to MSNBC (67622).

Find more alerts at alerts.msnbc.com

msnbc.com and NBC News
updated 3:48 p.m. ET Oct. 13, 2005

Federal authorities on Thursday opened a criminal investigation into who wrote e-mails that warned private citizens of a possible terror threat to New York City subways days in advance of a city government decision to issue a public alert last week.

News of the probe followed a report Thursday in the New York Daily News that a "select crowd of business and arts executives" received e-mails tipping them off to a potential threat days before most New Yorkers heard about it from local officials.

NBC's Pete Williams reported that investigators were looking at the e-mails, which appear to be based on statements by government officials with knowledge of the potential threat.

Story continues below ↓
advertisement | your ad here

A federal official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the case is under investigation, told NBC News that it was not clear whether the e-mails were written by government employees or by people who overheard discussion of the potential threat. But now, the fact there is a criminal investigation would indicate an interest in finding out whether government officials in possession of classified information were somehow involved in the unauthorized e-mail.

Click for related content

The Daily News reported that the city's Police Department confirmed it had learned of the e-mails on Oct. 3, three days before Mayor Bloomberg, police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and the FBI went public with the threat.

"I have just received a most disturbing call from one of my oldest friends from growing up in Washington," one e-mail reportedly began. "He called with a very specific caution to not enter or use the New York City subway system from Oct. 7 through 10th."

The information that led to concern about the plot to attack the subway system — using bombs hidden in briefcases, suitcases or strollers — has been largely discredited by federal officials.

© 2009 msnbc.com  Reprints

Sponsored LinksGet listed here
Online College Courses
Boost your career with an online Degree. Pick from Leading Colleges!
www.EarnMyDegree.com

Sponsored links

Resource guide