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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

FBI computer overhaul criticized

Associated Press

WASHINGTON – Lawmakers criticized FBI Director Robert Mueller on Thursday for continued problems with a costly computer project that was supposed to dramatically improve management of terrorism and other criminal cases.

Mueller acknowledged he does not yet know how much the FBI’s Virtual Case File will cost beyond the $170 million already budgeted and largely spent, or when FBI agents and analysts will have it on their computers.

After the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Mueller made improvement of the agency’s computer systems a priority. Members of Congress and the independent Sept. 11 commission said the overhaul was critical to enabling the FBI and intelligence agencies to “connect the dots” in preventing attacks.