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| S P E C I A L | TWA Flight 800: The Crash and Investigation |
Leader of TWA criminal investigation retiring from FBI
December 10, 1997
Kallstrom
Web posted at: 1:18 p.m. EST (1818 GMT)(CNN) -- Assistant FBI Director James Kallstrom, who came to national attention during the criminal investigation of the crash of TWA Flight 800, said he will retire at the end of the month.
"It was not in my character to leave before the TWA Flight 800 investigation was concluded," Kallstrom, 54, said Tuesday. "I thought I owed it not only to the bureau but to the victims' families and to the American citizens."
A 27-year veteran of the FBI, Kallstrom is leaving to take a job as senior executive vice president for MBNA Inc., an international bank and credit card company based in Wilmington, Delaware.
Kallstrom's take-charge manner and flat Boston accent became a regular feature in the television coverage of the TWA disaster. But even before that, he was well known in law enforcement circles for pushing the FBI to use new technology to fight crime.
Kallstrom was one of the first in law enforcement to understand the Internet and sound a warning about its potential for criminal misuse.
He has also been an ardent supporter of the controversial digital telephony act, which authorized law enforcement to work with the communications industry to update the old phone tapping systems for cellular phone systems.
He has been credited with providing technology for the Ravenite social club surveillance -- microphones that provided the evidence that sent Gambino crime family boss John Gotti to jail for life.
FBI Director Louis Freeh said he understood why Kallstrom, who joined the FBI in the 1970s, wants to leave.
"I understand that he was a dedicated and loyal FBI agent who has sacrificed a lot. I also think TWA took its toll on him both emotionally and physically," Freeh said.
Last month, Kallstrom suspended the FBI's search for a criminal cause into the July 17, 1996, disaster that claimed 230 lives, saying no evidence of a bomb or missile was found. The National Transportation Safety Board is continuing an investigation into mechanical failure and is currently holding hearings on its findings.
Special sections:
CNN Interactive's extended coverageRelated stories:
- Public hearings on TWA 800 crash start Monday - December 5, 1997
- FBI concludes no criminal evidence in TWA 800 crash - November 18, 1997
- FBI's Kallstrom angrily denies any TWA probe cover-up - November 8, 1996
- FBI investigator says bomb caused TWA crash, then backs off - July 25, 1996
Related sites:
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- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
- Federal Aviation Administration
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