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| Goss Choice Quit CIA In 1982 Under Fire | |
| 2004-10-03 | |
| Michael V. Kostiw, chosen by CIA Director Porter J. Goss to be the agency's new executive director, resigned under pressure from the CIA more than 20 years ago, according to past and current agency officials. While Kostiw, a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, longtime lobbyist for ChevronTexaco Corp. and more recently staff director of the terrorism subcommittee of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, has been through the CIA security vetting procedure, final clearance to take the job has not been completed pending review of the allegations. The job is the third-ranking post at the CIA. In late 1981, after he had been a case officer for 10 years, Kostiw was caught shoplifting in Langley, sources said. During a subsequent CIA polygraph test, Kostiw's responses to questions about the incident led agency officials to place him on administrative leave for several weeks, according to four sources who were familiar with the past events but who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the information. While on leave, Kostiw told friends he decided to resign. Agency officials at the time arranged for misdemeanor theft charges to be dropped and the police record expunged in return for his resignation and his agreement to get counseling, one former official said.
The CIA official, citing privacy considerations, refused to confirm or deny the events alleged by the former and current agency officials as the basis under which Kostiw previously left the agency. It was learned yesterday, however, that final adjudication of Kostiw's situation had not yet been completed, although his swearing-in had been scheduled for Monday, according to a friend of Kostiw. As executive director, Kostiw would have a major role in budgetary allocations within the agency and personnel matters, including promotions, assignments and discipline. He would "manage the CIA on a day-to-day basis," according to the CIA Web site. He would work with a board that includes the agency's chief financial officer, head of human resources, chief information officer, and chiefs of security, and global support. | |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #9 "The CIA needs to be dismantled. It has become too politicised, and has failed too many times." Which might explain why this guy is getting the Wapo treatment...you know, unnamed sources within the "intelligence" community. These days that's my immediate reaction to anything like this I see. Same as the Chalabi business, the "Israeli spy" stuff a couple months ago. Common sense should tell us all by now that there has to be a shakeup of the CIA, and it shouldn't surprise us at all if there are some folks who might prefer to resist any such shakeup. I never heard of this guy before, but now that I read this, I like him. |
| Posted by: mva30 2004-10-03 4:53:15 PM |
| #8 Oh well, polygraphs... |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2004-10-03 12:54:50 PM |
| #7 When I read this I thought set up deal. I have seen such set ups before to get rid of people for one reason or another. |
| Posted by: John 2004-10-03 12:36:23 PM |
| #6 Passing the SSBI and the poly are the main hurdles. And he would have been questioned about prior service and clearances, and his reasons for departing. In my opinion, the settlement of any charges like that mean they were likely drummed up. In the 80's, there was a zero tolerence policy in force and no wiggle room. Remember this was in light of the problems other agencies had, like the Walker family, and Boyce & Daulton earlier. This is more evidence of the CIA war against the current administration that such ancient information that was supposed to be expunged would be leaked at precisely the proper time to make Goss and the current administration look bad. The CIA needs to be dismantled. It has become too politicised, and has failed too many times. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2004-10-03 12:22:54 PM |
| #5 Sorry for the triple post - but I can't believe this. The only way Goss should survive this debacle is by assuring that whatever loopholes allowed Mr. Sticky to pass through the wickets, are exactly what he intends to close ASAP!!!!! |
| Posted by: 2b 2004-10-03 7:39:41 AM |
| #4 The media will have a field day with this. Good thing CBS's bias is already exposed - because this will be an Abu Gharib. |
| Posted by: 2b 2004-10-03 7:34:16 AM |
| #3 In late 1981, after he had been a case officer for 10 years, Kostiw was caught shoplifting in Langley It's not like he was just a stupid kid. This is a major screw up by Goss or whomever recommened him to Goss. If I were Goss - I'd immediately roll lots of heads over anyone who touched Goss and allowed him through the loops. This is a great Christmas present for Kerry. |
| Posted by: 2b 2004-10-03 7:33:31 AM |
| #2 Perhaps, but if he's (a) dumb enough to shoplift in Langley (b) incompetently, I hope he has nothing to do with ops. |
| Posted by: Mrs. Davis 2004-10-03 7:20:19 AM |
| #1 Don't see any particular problem here. Alleged shoplifting over twenty years ago? In '82 the agency would administer a polygraph if you farted too loud in the cafetria. Meantime, this guy seems to have ranked up some useful credentials. He knows the warts and bumps, and where the bones are buried. |
| Posted by: Capt America 2004-10-03 2:28:58 AM |