Doctor Sues 3 Officials in Anthrax Case

Claims they leaked info, caused 'severe emotional distress'

By John Abell, Newser User

Posted Jan 13, 2008 5:02 PM CST

(Newser) – 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.

[Images (9)]

[Videos (1)]

FBI agents search for Anthrax evidence in this undated file photo. (Getty Images)

Scientist Steven J. Hatfill speaks to media in this undated photo. (Getty Images)

USA. New York City. October 21, 2001. The CBS building, near Rockefeller Center in Manhattan, was the center of an anthrax scare. (NYC14997) (Magnum Photos)

A strike team waits to be decontaminated outside a West Palm Beach, Florida mail center. (KRT Photos)

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A copy of one of the anthrax letters, released by the U. S. Department of Justice on Tuesday, October 23, 2001. (KRT Photos)

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The envelope sent to The New York Post that tested positive for anthrax. (KRT Photos)

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The envelope sent to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle that tested positive for anthrax. (KRT Photos)

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The envelope sent to NBC anchor Tom Brokaw that tested positive for anthrax. (KRT Photos)

FILE PHOTO - Scientist Steven J. Hatfill Files Lawsuit (Getty Images)

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Doctor Sues 3 Officials in Anthrax Case