Pubdate: Tue, 01 Jun 2004
Source: Knoxville News-Sentinel (TN)
Copyright: 2004 The Knoxville News-Sentinel Co.
Contact:  http://www.knoxnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/226
Author: Associated Press

PATRIOT ACT YIELDS RISE IN WIRETAPS, ACLU SAYS

CHATTANOOGA - Federal authorities are taking advantage of the Patriot Act 
to place more wiretaps in Tennessee, civil libertarians said.

But law enforcement chalked up the increase to more aggressive 
investigations, not indiscriminate use of the controversial federal law.

Federal authorities spent more than $1 million on 13 wiretaps in Tennessee 
in 2003, resulting in 56 arrests. All the wiretaps were used for 
mobile-phone surveillance in narcotics investigations

There were just seven wiretaps the year before, according to the 
Administrative Office of U.S. Courts.

The increase follows a national trend, where wiretap requests increased 19 
percent in 2003 from the previous year.

Hedy Weinberg, executive director for the American Civil Liberties Union in 
Tennessee, said the Patriot Act gives federal authorities more leeway when 
requesting wiretaps and surveillance equipment.

"I think that is something we can assume based on the numbers," she said. 
"We know, with all those wiretaps requested, none were turned down."

Records indicate federal judges approved all wiretap requests brought 
before them.

However, Harry S. "Sandy" Mattice, U.S. attorney from the Eastern District 
of Tennessee, said the Patriot Act is not driving the increase.

"There are more terrorism cases being investigated, but I believe the 
uptick represents more aggressiveness by law enforcement," he said.

The court that handles all terrorism requests, including those in 
Tennessee, said it received 1,727 requests last year nationally for 
electronic surveillance. The court approved all but three.

Patriot Act critics say it is being used in ways never intended and removes 
judicial oversight.

Weinberg said requests are being "rubber-stamped."
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