CBS News Exec: FBI Informant Accusation ‘Outrageous and untrue’

By Alex Weprin 

CBS News VP and DC bureau chief Chris Isham says the Gawker report that he was the ABC News employee that doubled as an FBI informant is “outrageous and untrue.”

Isham said that as an investigative journalist for ABC, he would occasionally run information by the FBI to try and confirm the facts, “But at no time did I compromise a confidential source with the FBI or anyone else.”

A spokesperson for CBS says the network is investigating the matter internally:

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“CBS News has strict standards regarding the handling of source material and we are discussing the facts of the allegations with Chris. The events in question are a matter between the FBI and ABC News.”

Isham’s full statement is after the jump.

“The suggestion that I was an informant for the FBI is outrageous and untrue. Like every investigative reporter, my job for 25 years has been to check out information and tips from sources. In the heat of the Oklahoma City bombing, it would not be unusual for me or any journalist to run information by a source within the FBI for confirmation or to notify authorities about a pending terrorist attack. This is consistent with the policies at every news organization. But at no time did I compromise a confidential source with the FBI or anyone else. Mr. Cannistraro was not a confidential source, but rather a colleague – a paid consultant to ABC News who had already spoken to the FBI about information he had received.”

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