Informants
How a Closeted Strip Club Kingpin Became an FBI Snitch
Michael Blutrich has kept more secrets in his life than anyone should. Now, out of prison and with a new memoir, he's spilling.
A Case of Grammar, Severed Fingers, and the Law
A strange case about how much protection people who get released from jail are owed by the government. The answer: Not very much.
The Internet Is Your Worst Enemy if You’re a Criminal Informant
In a span of three years, at least 31 informants were murdered in and out of prison by people who obtained details about their plea deals from unsealed court documents or transcripts.
What I Learned About My Father from Reading His Secret Police Files
My father, a Romanian theater director, was considered a threat to the Communist regime of his time.
Islamic State Said to Gruesomely Execute Dozens in Witch Hunt for Drone Strike Spies
The bodies of suspected informants are often displayed publicly, and some people have reportedly been killed by being dropped into a vat of acid.
The Problem with Hiring Liars to Catch Crooks
Serial liars and crazy people are often called upon by cops to serve as snitches and informants.
How a Disgraced KKK Leader Became a Key FBI Operative in a Bizarre Radioactive Ray Gun Case
A convoluted case shows the lengths the authorities will go to bring terrorism charges, even when the targets have little chance of carrying out their threats.
Jailhouse Snitch Testimony Is Backfiring in California
Jailhouse informants aren't just dangerous because they put good people away—they're dangerous because they can help the worst criminals catch a break.
Are the FBI Operating a Honeytrap for Islamic Terrorists?
Investigative journalist Trevor Aaronson says they've been goading people to attack the US for years.