Arab-American agent files suit against FBI for bias in 9/11 case

WASHINGTON -- A high-ranking Arab-American FBI agent is taking the bureau to court, accusing it of racial discrimination for freezing him out of the Sept. 11 investigation.\nThe suit described agent Bassem Youssef as the only polygraph examiner qualified to conduct interviews in Arabic, with extensive experience and Middle Eastern contacts culled from his days with the FBI in Saudi Arabia.\nYet, the complaint said, he was kept away from any substantial investigations related to the hijacking attacks on New York and Washington.\n"No other non-Arab FBI employee with similar background and experience in counterterrorism was willfully blocked from working 9-11 related matters," according to the complaint. "In fact, numerous non-Arab FBI employees with far less experience and expertise in counterterrorism were assigned to 9-11 related work."\nCalls to the FBI and the Justice Department were not returned Saturday.\nYoussef's attorney, Stephen Kohn, said his client was sidelined for no good reason. "What you want is the most qualified person and the most qualified person was not permitted to work on the most important criminal prosecution in American history," Kohn said.\nThe lawsuit was filed Friday at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.\nYoussef alleges the agency has a "glass ceiling" regarding the promotion of U.S. citizens born in Arab countries. Youssef, a naturalized American citizen, was born in Egypt.\nHis work with the agency began in 1988. The lawsuit said he received an "exceptional" performance review for his work in Saudi Arabia, a coveted counterterrorism honor called the Director of Central Intelligence Award, and praise for his investigative efforts during congressional testimony from former FBI Director Louis Freeh.\nHowever, the complaint said, Youssef became aware of the alleged bias after returning from Saudi Arabia in 2000. Youssef, who is a currently a unit supervisor at FBI headquarters in Washington, contends he has been prevented from reaching the higher management level of officials who run day-to-day operations solely because of his national origin.\nBeyond the allegations of bias, the lawsuit claimed that the treatment of Youssef undermined counterterrorism efforts before the 2001 hijacking attacks.\nFor example, the complaint said, two months before Sept. 11, a "walk-in" at one of the FBI's field offices said he had significant information about terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. The lawsuit said the field office requested that Youssef debrief the walk-in because of his expertise, but he did not end up handling the interview. The possible informant left without revealing whatever information he may have had, according to the suit.\nKohn said the FBI has to "aggressively root out bigotry in the agency and not further retaliate against Youssef."\nHis client is seeking monetary damages and placement in higher management at the agency. Youssef also wants an injunction against any reprisal actions by the FBI.