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Rev Al Sharpton downplays report that he was an FBI informant in 1980s Rev Al Sharpton downplays report that he was an FBI informant in 1980s
(6 months later)
The Rev Al Sharpton said on Tuesday that a report that he spied on New York mafia figures for the FBI in the 1980s was not a new story, and insisted that he had never considered himself an informant.The Rev Al Sharpton said on Tuesday that a report that he spied on New York mafia figures for the FBI in the 1980s was not a new story, and insisted that he had never considered himself an informant.
Instead, Sharpton, a prominent civil rights campaigner, characterised his role as “co-operating with an investigation”.Instead, Sharpton, a prominent civil rights campaigner, characterised his role as “co-operating with an investigation”.
Sharpton called a news conference at his Harlem headquarters to talk about a story posted Monday on the Smoking Gun website that said he had recorded conversations with mobsters.Sharpton called a news conference at his Harlem headquarters to talk about a story posted Monday on the Smoking Gun website that said he had recorded conversations with mobsters.
The website said Sharpton was recruited by a police-FBI taskforce to record conversations with mafia figures using electronic equipment hidden in a briefcase. It said Sharpton was identified in court papers as "confidential informant No 7". The website said Sharpton was recruited by a police-FBI taskforce to record conversations with mafia figures using electronic equipment hidden in a briefcase. It said Sharpton was identified in court papers as "confidential informant No 7".
Sharpton said he went to the FBI after he was threatened by mobsters working in the music business, a story he recounted in his 1996 book, Go and Tell Pharaoh.Sharpton said he went to the FBI after he was threatened by mobsters working in the music business, a story he recounted in his 1996 book, Go and Tell Pharaoh.
He read a passage from the book to reporters and said, according to the Associated Press: "Nothing new about that story."He read a passage from the book to reporters and said, according to the Associated Press: "Nothing new about that story."
The Smoking Gun’s report said Sharpton had 10 in-person meetings with Gambino family member Joseph Buonanno. Sharpton acknowledged using a recording device in a briefcase but said he did nothing wrong.The Smoking Gun’s report said Sharpton had 10 in-person meetings with Gambino family member Joseph Buonanno. Sharpton acknowledged using a recording device in a briefcase but said he did nothing wrong.
"In this situation, I did what was right," he said."In this situation, I did what was right," he said.
Some of the information Sharpton collected was reportedly used to get judges to sign wire-tap orders for people associated with the mob. The resulting recordings led to the arrest of several key figures in the syndicate.Some of the information Sharpton collected was reportedly used to get judges to sign wire-tap orders for people associated with the mob. The resulting recordings led to the arrest of several key figures in the syndicate.
The Smoking Gun posted dozens of pages of documents it said showed Sharpton's dealings with mob figures. Sharpton said his lawyers would review the documents, which consist of FBI documents obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests, court records and multiple interviews with people said to be involved in the investigation.The Smoking Gun posted dozens of pages of documents it said showed Sharpton's dealings with mob figures. Sharpton said his lawyers would review the documents, which consist of FBI documents obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests, court records and multiple interviews with people said to be involved in the investigation.
Authorities threatened Sharpton after he was caught on tape discussing cocaine deals, moving him to provide them information for four years in the 1980s, according to the documents.Authorities threatened Sharpton after he was caught on tape discussing cocaine deals, moving him to provide them information for four years in the 1980s, according to the documents.
Sharpton said he was not an associate of mobsters but was threatened by mob figures who controlled the music business and decided to contact authorities.Sharpton said he was not an associate of mobsters but was threatened by mob figures who controlled the music business and decided to contact authorities.
“If you’re a victim of a threat, you’re not an informant – you’re a victim trying to protect yourself,” Sharpton told the New York Daily News.“If you’re a victim of a threat, you’re not an informant – you’re a victim trying to protect yourself,” Sharpton told the New York Daily News.
He said his role in the FBI’s case was being exaggerated, and that he was never told he was an informant or that he had a number in the system. Aside from some travel reimbursements, he said he was never paid by the FBI.He said his role in the FBI’s case was being exaggerated, and that he was never told he was an informant or that he had a number in the system. Aside from some travel reimbursements, he said he was never paid by the FBI.
“I encourage kids all the time to work with law enforcement,” he said. “You’re acting like it’s a scandal for me to do that?”“I encourage kids all the time to work with law enforcement,” he said. “You’re acting like it’s a scandal for me to do that?”
The Associated Press contributed to this reportThe Associated Press contributed to this report