FBI Publicly Seeks Assistance in Probe

The FBI said it is seeking the assistance of current or former tobacco company officials in the continuing Justice Department criminal investigation involving the industry. In a posting to the FBI’s Web site, the FBI and the Justice Department said they are conducting a probe to determine whether any federal criminal laws had been violated by tobacco industry corporations, employees or representatives. The FBI said it is seeking help from “past or present tobacco company researchers, scientists, product development personnel or manufacturing officials knowledgeable about the cigarette development and manufacturing process.” It said the assistance could be provided confidentially.(Reuters)