Steven Hatfill Settlement

June 27, 2008: The Justice Department reached a settlement agreement in a lawsuit filed by former government scientist Steven Hatfill. Dr. Hatfill was named as a "person of interest" in a series of anthrax attacks in 2001. Hatfield sued the Justice Department for disclosing his name to the media.

The Justice Department has agreed to pay Hatfield $5.8 million to settle the suit.¹

Fast Facts

1. Born: October 24, 1953
2. Named as "person of interest" by John Ashcroft in connection with anthrax attacks
3. FBI said 20 people were "persons of interest"²
4. Hatfill was only person whose name was released
5. Sued U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) in 2003
6. Settled lawsuit with USDOJ in 2008 for $5.8 million¹
7. USDOJ did not admit wrongdoing in settlement
8. Hatfill alleged his constitutional rights were violated²
9. Hatfill's apartment searched three times²
10. Hatfill alleged he lost job as a result²
11. In deposition for lawsuit, Ashcroft answered "I don't know" 85 times²

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