Guide Note

Steven Hatfill is a former U.S. Army bioweapons research scientist whose name emerged in connection with the 2001 anthrax attacks which killed five people and sickened 17 others. Hatfill was never charged, but the FBI raided his home and John Ashcroft named him as a "person of interest."¹

Fast Facts

1. Born: October 24, 1953
2. Named as "person of interest" by FBI in connection with anthrax attacks¹
3. Sued U.S. Department of Justice in 2003
4. Settled lawsuit with USDOJ in 2008 for $5.8 million²
5. Wrote novel about bioweapons attack prior to attacks¹
6. Hatfill says he has never worked with anthrax¹
7. Suspect Bruce E. Ivins committed suicide just prior to being charged

In June, 2008, the United States Justice Department agreed to pay $5.8 million to settle a lawsuit brought by Hatfill.² Hatfill claimed his constitutional rights had been violated and his career ruined as a result of the accusations.¹

In October, 2001, on the heels of the 9/11 attacks, letters containing powdered anthrax were sent to addresses in Florida, New York, and Washington. All of the letters had a Trenton, New Jersey postmark. Letters were sent to several news outlets, including the offices of the National Enquirer, the New York Post, ABC, NBC and CBS. In addition, letters were also sent to the offices of Senators Tom Daschle and Patrick Leahy.

To this day, no one has ever been arrested, tried, or convicted in relation to the attacks. During their investigation, the FBI compiled a list of "persons of interest."¹ On July 29, 2008, Bruce E. Ivins committed suicide after the Los Angeles Times reported that he was about to be charged with crimes related to the attacks.³