Difference between revisions of "Ayaad Assaad"
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Assaad worked as a civilian research scientist at the US Army's Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases ([[USAMRIID]]), in [[Fort Detrick]], [[Maryland]] from 1989-1997. While there, he developed a [[ricin]] vaccine.<ref name="The Message in the Anthrax"/> | Assaad worked as a civilian research scientist at the US Army's Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases ([[USAMRIID]]), in [[Fort Detrick]], [[Maryland]] from 1989-1997. While there, he developed a [[ricin]] vaccine.<ref name="The Message in the Anthrax"/> | ||
| + | ===Complaint in 1991=== | ||
In 1991, when working at USAMRIID, Assaad filed a formal complaint against co-workers including [[Philip Zack]] and [[Marian Rippy]] for racial harassment. The USAMRIID Commander, Col. [[Ronald Williams (USAMRIID)|Ronald Williams]], investigated and ruled in Assaad's favor, singling out Zack and Rippy for leading the so-called "Camel Club" which had anonymously sent Assaad an eight-page insulting poem. According to ''[[Salon]]'' magazine: "The Army investigation documents further revealed that the two [Zack and Rippy], both married, were also having an affair."<ref name="archive.salon.com">https://web.archive.org/web/20070813003628/http://archive.salon.com/news/feature/2002/01/26/assaad/index_np.html</ref> Col. | In 1991, when working at USAMRIID, Assaad filed a formal complaint against co-workers including [[Philip Zack]] and [[Marian Rippy]] for racial harassment. The USAMRIID Commander, Col. [[Ronald Williams (USAMRIID)|Ronald Williams]], investigated and ruled in Assaad's favor, singling out Zack and Rippy for leading the so-called "Camel Club" which had anonymously sent Assaad an eight-page insulting poem. According to ''[[Salon]]'' magazine: "The Army investigation documents further revealed that the two [Zack and Rippy], both married, were also having an affair."<ref name="archive.salon.com">https://web.archive.org/web/20070813003628/http://archive.salon.com/news/feature/2002/01/26/assaad/index_np.html</ref> Col. | ||
Williams wrote to Assaad: "Based upon your complaint, I directed that an informal investigation be conducted. The investigation revealed that Lieutenant Colonel Zack and Dr. Rippy had participated in discriminatory behavior. On behalf of the United States of America, the Army, and this Institute, I wish to genuinely and humbly apologize for this behavior." Both Zack and Rippy were reprimanded. Zack left USAMRIID in December 1991, Rippy left in February 1992. Assaad stayed on until March 1997<ref>http://www.anthraxinvestigation.com/hcourant.html saved at [https://web.archive.org/web/20060507205357/http://www.anthraxinvestigation.com/hcourant.html Archive.org] saved at [https://archive.is/lQmdm Archive.is]</ref> Budget cuts there led to Assaad being laid off in March 1997, for which he sued the [[US Army]] for age and ethnic discrimination. | Williams wrote to Assaad: "Based upon your complaint, I directed that an informal investigation be conducted. The investigation revealed that Lieutenant Colonel Zack and Dr. Rippy had participated in discriminatory behavior. On behalf of the United States of America, the Army, and this Institute, I wish to genuinely and humbly apologize for this behavior." Both Zack and Rippy were reprimanded. Zack left USAMRIID in December 1991, Rippy left in February 1992. Assaad stayed on until March 1997<ref>http://www.anthraxinvestigation.com/hcourant.html saved at [https://web.archive.org/web/20060507205357/http://www.anthraxinvestigation.com/hcourant.html Archive.org] saved at [https://archive.is/lQmdm Archive.is]</ref> Budget cuts there led to Assaad being laid off in March 1997, for which he sued the [[US Army]] for age and ethnic discrimination. | ||
| + | ===Anthrax attacks=== | ||
On October 2, [[2001]] (three days before the first fatality from [[anthrax]] in the [[2001 anthrax attacks]]), [[FBI]] Agent Gregory Leylegian called and asked Assaad to come in for questioning, which he did the next day. The FBI had received an anonymous letter, postmarked September 21, 2001, in which an alleged co-worker warned that Assaad might be planning a biological attack. The timing is noteworthy because anthrax-victim, photo editor [[Robert Stevens]] was not admitted to a [[Florida]] hospital until October 2, and he was not diagnosed with anthrax until October 3. The first set of letters containing real anthrax were mailed on September 18.<ref name="archive.salon.com"/> | On October 2, [[2001]] (three days before the first fatality from [[anthrax]] in the [[2001 anthrax attacks]]), [[FBI]] Agent Gregory Leylegian called and asked Assaad to come in for questioning, which he did the next day. The FBI had received an anonymous letter, postmarked September 21, 2001, in which an alleged co-worker warned that Assaad might be planning a biological attack. The timing is noteworthy because anthrax-victim, photo editor [[Robert Stevens]] was not admitted to a [[Florida]] hospital until October 2, and he was not diagnosed with anthrax until October 3. The first set of letters containing real anthrax were mailed on September 18.<ref name="archive.salon.com"/> | ||
The 212-word letter sent to the [[FBI]] was unsigned and computer-typed. It stated, in part: "Dr. Assaad is a potential biological terrorist. [...] I have worked with Dr. Assaad and I heard him say that he has a vendetta against the U.S. government and that if anything happens to him, he told his sons to carry on." According to Assaad: "The letter-writer clearly knew my entire background, my training in both chemical and biological agents, my security clearance, what floor where I work now, that I have two sons, what train I take to work, and where I live."<ref name="archive.salon.com"/> [[Donald Foster (professor)|Don Foster]] concluded it was sent by a female officer at Ft. Detrick,<ref name="The Message in the Anthrax"/> although he did not name [[Marian Rippy]] directly. | The 212-word letter sent to the [[FBI]] was unsigned and computer-typed. It stated, in part: "Dr. Assaad is a potential biological terrorist. [...] I have worked with Dr. Assaad and I heard him say that he has a vendetta against the U.S. government and that if anything happens to him, he told his sons to carry on." According to Assaad: "The letter-writer clearly knew my entire background, my training in both chemical and biological agents, my security clearance, what floor where I work now, that I have two sons, what train I take to work, and where I live."<ref name="archive.salon.com"/> [[Donald Foster (professor)|Don Foster]] concluded it was sent by a female officer at Ft. Detrick,<ref name="The Message in the Anthrax"/> although he did not name [[Marian Rippy]] directly. | ||
| − | The FBI cleared Assaad of these allegations, according to [[Chris Murray]], an FBI spokesman (as reported in ''Salon''): "We received an anonymous letter with certain allegations about Dr. Assaad. Our investigation has determined those allegations are unfounded. Our investigation is complete. Period."<ref>https://www.salon.com/2002/01/26/assaad/ saved at [https://web.archive.org/web/20121026022239/http://www.salon.com/2002/01/26/assaad/ Archive.org] saved at [https://archive.is/PQCX Archive.is]</ref> | + | The FBI cleared Assaad of these allegations, according to [[Chris Murray]], an FBI spokesman (as reported in ''[[Salon]]''): "We received an anonymous letter with certain allegations about Dr. Assaad. Our investigation has determined those allegations are unfounded. Our investigation is complete. Period."<ref>https://www.salon.com/2002/01/26/assaad/ saved at [https://web.archive.org/web/20121026022239/http://www.salon.com/2002/01/26/assaad/ Archive.org] saved at [https://archive.is/PQCX Archive.is]</ref> |
| + | {{SMWDocs}} | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
Latest revision as of 18:30, 17 March 2021
 Ayaad Assaad    (microbiologist) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1948 |
| Nationality | American |
Ayaad Assaad, is an American microbiologist and toxicologist. Since 1997 he has worked for the US Environmental Protection Agency testing pesticides.[1]
Biography
Assaad was born in Egypt and became a naturalized US citizen in 1981. He holds a Ph.D. in physiology from Iowa State University.
Assaad worked as a civilian research scientist at the US Army's Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), in Fort Detrick, Maryland from 1989-1997. While there, he developed a ricin vaccine.[1]
Complaint in 1991
In 1991, when working at USAMRIID, Assaad filed a formal complaint against co-workers including Philip Zack and Marian Rippy for racial harassment. The USAMRIID Commander, Col. Ronald Williams, investigated and ruled in Assaad's favor, singling out Zack and Rippy for leading the so-called "Camel Club" which had anonymously sent Assaad an eight-page insulting poem. According to Salon magazine: "The Army investigation documents further revealed that the two [Zack and Rippy], both married, were also having an affair."[2] Col.
Williams wrote to Assaad: "Based upon your complaint, I directed that an informal investigation be conducted. The investigation revealed that Lieutenant Colonel Zack and Dr. Rippy had participated in discriminatory behavior. On behalf of the United States of America, the Army, and this Institute, I wish to genuinely and humbly apologize for this behavior." Both Zack and Rippy were reprimanded. Zack left USAMRIID in December 1991, Rippy left in February 1992. Assaad stayed on until March 1997[3] Budget cuts there led to Assaad being laid off in March 1997, for which he sued the US Army for age and ethnic discrimination.
Anthrax attacks
On October 2, 2001 (three days before the first fatality from anthrax in the 2001 anthrax attacks), FBI Agent Gregory Leylegian called and asked Assaad to come in for questioning, which he did the next day. The FBI had received an anonymous letter, postmarked September 21, 2001, in which an alleged co-worker warned that Assaad might be planning a biological attack. The timing is noteworthy because anthrax-victim, photo editor Robert Stevens was not admitted to a Florida hospital until October 2, and he was not diagnosed with anthrax until October 3. The first set of letters containing real anthrax were mailed on September 18.[2]
The 212-word letter sent to the FBI was unsigned and computer-typed. It stated, in part: "Dr. Assaad is a potential biological terrorist. [...] I have worked with Dr. Assaad and I heard him say that he has a vendetta against the U.S. government and that if anything happens to him, he told his sons to carry on." According to Assaad: "The letter-writer clearly knew my entire background, my training in both chemical and biological agents, my security clearance, what floor where I work now, that I have two sons, what train I take to work, and where I live."[2] Don Foster concluded it was sent by a female officer at Ft. Detrick,[1] although he did not name Marian Rippy directly.
The FBI cleared Assaad of these allegations, according to Chris Murray, an FBI spokesman (as reported in Salon): "We received an anonymous letter with certain allegations about Dr. Assaad. Our investigation has determined those allegations are unfounded. Our investigation is complete. Period."[4]
References
- ↑ a b c http://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/Bioter/messageanthrax.html
- ↑ a b c https://web.archive.org/web/20070813003628/http://archive.salon.com/news/feature/2002/01/26/assaad/index_np.html
- ↑ http://www.anthraxinvestigation.com/hcourant.html saved at Archive.org saved at Archive.is
- ↑ https://www.salon.com/2002/01/26/assaad/ saved at Archive.org saved at Archive.is
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