FBI Creates Web Site for Corruption Tips

By SETH HETTENA
Associated Press Writer

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The FBI has established a Web site to make it easier for the public to pass along tips on corrupt government officials, FBI Director Robert Mueller said Thursday.

More than 1,000 corrupt government employees have been convicted in the last two years as a result of FBI investigations, many of which began with tips, Mueller said.

Even more cases go unreported out of indifference, fear of retribution or because witnesses were unsure what to do with the information, he said.

"There is a growing intolerance by the American people of public corruption, an intolerance reflected in the willingness to come forward and report abuse of public office," Mueller said.

The public can now submit tips through the Internet at http:reportcorruption.fbi.gov.

Mueller announced the Web site during a speech in San Diego, where former Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham pleaded guilty last year to accepting $2.4 million in bribes from defense contractors in return for government contracts. Cunningham was sentenced in March to more than eight years in prison.

FBI investigations also led to the conviction of a former city councilman and the indictment of several former members and officials of the board overseeing San Diego's pension fund.

On the Net: http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/pubcorrupt/pubcorrupt.htm