Doctor Sues 3 Officials in Anthrax Case

A former army doctor identified as a "person of interest" in the 2001 anthrax attacks is suing three US officials for leaking information about him, the Los Angeles Times reports. In his five-year-old suit, physician Steven Hatfill claims the case caused him "severe emotional distress" and hindered his ability to find work. "Some of the most damaging information leaked in this case [came] straight out of the U.S. attorney's office, " said Hatfill's attorney.

Hatfill's suit names Roscoe C. Howard Jr., former US attorney of the District of Columbia, as well as an ex-division chief under Howard, and a former FBI spokesman. One judge ordered Hatfill and government attorneys to seek mediation, but expected a trial to start by December. No one has been charged in the anthrax case, in which anthrax-laced letters killed five people shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks. (More anthrax stories.)