The US government is to pay $5.8 million to a bio-defence researcher named as a ‘person of interest’ in the 2001 anthrax incidents.

In return Steven Hatfill has agreed to drop his claim that his privacy was violated by government officials (background on Wikipedia).

Steven Hatfill was identified in the press as a suspect in the incidents, and was at one point under 24-hour surveillance. Earlier this year US Judge Reggie Walton said, “There is not a scintilla of evidence that would indicate that Dr Hatfill had anything to do with this.” (LA Times).

Despite agreeing to pay Hatfill millions in an out of court settlement the US Justice Department issued the following statement:

The United States does not admit to any violation of the Privacy Act and continues to deny all liability in connection with Dr. Hatfill’s claims. (AP, and others.)

USA Today’s opinion column is scathing about this:

In settling the case, the government denied doing anything wrong — but it paid the sort of money that suggests it did something very stupid. The ‘person of interest’ gambit can amount to public conviction of innocent suspects without trial.

The Chronicle of Higher Education notes the impact of the whole issue on Hatfill:

At the height of the investigation, in 2002, Dr. Hatfill was fired from his position as associate director at Louisiana State University’s National Center for Biomedical Research and Training. The turmoil at the center surrounding Dr. Hatfill’s employment during the investigation, and a directive from the U.S. Department of Justice that Dr. Hatfill be barred from participating in any research paid for by the department, also led to the dismissal of Stephen L. Guillot, the center’s director.

There is another, ongoing issue related to the case. In a related court case reporter Toni Locy was subpoenaed in an attempt to find out which government sources briefed her about Hatfill. As she refused to reveal her source she is was hit with a contempt of court ruling and fines of up to $5,000 a day. She is appealing this decision (USA Today).

Previous Nature coverage

Anthrax case provokes doubt among experts

Two fired in wake of anthrax investigation

NB: The NY Times says the settlement is for $4.6 million, but explains, “The lawyers will take their fee out of the settlement, which will pay out $5.8 million over 20 years. The $4.6 million figure is the cost of the annuity to the government.”

Image: anthrax / WHO