BURN AFTER READING: a thread on the organization of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division and personnel changes prior to and during Operation Crossfire Hurricane.
For obvious reasons, the FBI doesn’t readily provide detailed info on the organization of its Counterintel Division and the agents who staff it.
This lack of knowledge of structure and people is the biggest obstacle I faced when attempting to decipher the meaning of the texts between Peter Strzok and Lisa Page.
I try as much as possible to rely on the internal logic of the Strzok/Page texts.
(In the texts, the Counterintel Division is abbreviated as both CD & CI. I will use CD.)
(In the texts, the Counterintel Division is abbreviated as both CD & CI. I will use CD.)
There are a few sources that describe how FBI Counterintel Division SHOULD work, but that’s not always how it does work in the texts.
In one text, Page bluntly states that the division’s organization makes no sense.
In one text, Page bluntly states that the division’s organization makes no sense.
And, as it apparent to anyone who has followed this story closely, Strzok did not appear to be bound by the limitations of the organizational chart.
This thread is only about Crossfire Hurricane. I don’t address Strzok’s work on the Clinton email investigation, the Midyear Exam and Lord only knows what else he was into.
Let’s breakdown the CD organization structure. The division is comprised of 4 sections.
In FBIHQ lingo, the sections are known as CD1, CD2, CD3 & CD4.
In FBIHQ lingo, the sections are known as CD1, CD2, CD3 & CD4.
I can say with certainty that CD4 is Counterespionage and CD3 is Counterproliferation.
I suspect CD2 is Economic Espionage and CD1 is Strategy and Domain. However, these two may be reversed.
I suspect CD2 is Economic Espionage and CD1 is Strategy and Domain. However, these two may be reversed.
Each section has a Section Chief.
The head of the division is the Assistant Director (AD). In Dec 2015, E. W. “Bill” Priestap was named AD.
Occupying the position between the AD and Section Chief on the hierarchy is the Deputy Assistant Director (DAD).
The head of the division is the Assistant Director (AD). In Dec 2015, E. W. “Bill” Priestap was named AD.
Occupying the position between the AD and Section Chief on the hierarchy is the Deputy Assistant Director (DAD).
The biggest source of confusion, I found, is the notion that Peter Strzok was THE Deputy Assistant Director of the Counterintelligence Division.
As in the one and only.
What I discovered, however, is that there are actually several Deputy Assistant Directors in CD.
As in the one and only.
What I discovered, however, is that there are actually several Deputy Assistant Directors in CD.
We can tell from several texts that “Bill” has multiple DADs.
“Dina” is Dina Corsi. She was a DAD in CounterIntel as far back as 2015.
securityinfowatch.com/article/124138…
securityinfowatch.com/article/124138…
There is evidence that places Peter Strzok as the Section Chief of Counterespionage (CD4) as early as Jan 2016.
In this text from 4-29-2016, Strzok tells Page that he desires to be a DAD in the Counterintelligence Division ONLY. So we can infer then that “Gordon” and “Jones” were DADs in Counterintel at that time.
“Jones” is Robert Jones. He was a DAD in Counterintel from 2014-2016. He has extensive experience in counterterrorism.
“Gordon” is someone most people have never heard -- Gordon Johnson.
While “Jones” is mentioned nearly 30 times in Strzok/Page texts, “Gordon” or “Johnson” is mentioned a mere 3 times. Either his name is redacted, perhaps heavily, or Johnson is a person of much less importance to Strzok & Page.
On 7-14-16, Strzok attends a farewell party.
Jones is named AD of the FBI Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate on 7-27-16.
executivegov.com/2016/07/john-a…
executivegov.com/2016/07/john-a…
According to this FBI press release, Gordon Johnson was named the Acting SAC of Norfolk in August 2016.
Johnson probably left the Division sometime in mid-to-late July 2016 (though I can’t find other sources that place him in Norfolk beyond the press release)
Johnson probably left the Division sometime in mid-to-late July 2016 (though I can’t find other sources that place him in Norfolk beyond the press release)
Johnson’s brief 8 month tenure in CD is unusual. In my research, I found most upper-level FBI agents spend around 2 years in a position before moving on.
Perhaps the farewell party was for one or both of the men
Perhaps the farewell party was for one or both of the men
Apparently a DAD is responsible for a section (at least one, perhaps more).
When the DAD leaves, the Section Chief becomes the Acting DAD if a successor is not appointed from outside of the Division.
When the DAD leaves, the Section Chief becomes the Acting DAD if a successor is not appointed from outside of the Division.
I could find no FBI press release announcing a replacement for either Johnson or Jones.
So Strzok should have become Acting DAD with the departure of Johnson & Jones in July.
So Strzok should have become Acting DAD with the departure of Johnson & Jones in July.
This is important because something very significant happened on the last day of July, 2016 -- the launch of Operation Crossfire Hurricane.
Strzok would have been Acting DAD at the time. As far as I can tell, “Dina” was the only other DAD in CD at the time.
On 8-11-16, Page notifies Strzok that he’s been selected Deputy Assistant Director. This would not be made official until later.
On 8-11-16, Page notifies Strzok that he’s been selected Deputy Assistant Director. This would not be made official until later.
The question arises -- were these personnel changes made specifically for Crossfire Hurricane?
Let’s look at the job description of Gordon Jones. It seems like the position of someone who would have been extensively engaged in Crossfire Hurricane.
Let’s look at the job description of Gordon Jones. It seems like the position of someone who would have been extensively engaged in Crossfire Hurricane.
Was it necessary to place someone from “the band” in that position prior to the start of Operation Crossfire Hurricane?
Fast forward to 9-11-16 and a text that reveals a pivotal moment in Crossfire Hurricane
Someone in the Counterintel Division is reassigned.
Someone in the Counterintel Division is reassigned.
“Bill” has decided to “post 3.” We know CD3 is the Counterproliferation section. Bill (AD Priestap) has decided to replace a DAD or an Acting DAD and is going look outside of the Division for a replacement.
Strzok interprets this as Preistap saying that he has no confidence in the current CD3 Section Chief to step up and assume that role. Strzok is relieved Bill didn’t ask him or Dina for their opinion on the personnel changes.
Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, I can’t determine who was removed. There’s a real possibility that the name of the person has been redacted throughout. There are several instances where I suspect names are redacted in order to avoid embarrassing individuals.
Jumping a month ahead to 10-27-2016, Strzok and “Jen” are picking their “SCs.”
“Jen” is the new Deputy Assistant Director in Counterproliferation.
“Jen” is the new Deputy Assistant Director in Counterproliferation.
When Page learns the news about “Jen,” she celebrates “the band” being back on tour. So it appears the trio have worked together before, probably with McCabe.
(Also note Strozk’s reference to Keith Richards.)
(Also note Strozk’s reference to Keith Richards.)
“Jen” is one of the most mysterious names in the texts. I have never seen her officially identified.
After a few wrong turns and with the help of others, I now believe “Jen” is Jennifer Boone.
After a few wrong turns and with the help of others, I now believe “Jen” is Jennifer Boone.
Looking at Boone’s LinkedIn profile, we see the dates match up. She was a Section Chief at the Counterproliferation Center (so outside of CD) until Nov 2016
She was a Deputy Assistant Director starting in November of 2016 (though she doesn’t state where in the FBI she worked. Clearly she doesn’t want her name associated with the Counterintel Division during that time period.)
Just to further confirm, this is a tweet placing Boone and Priestap together on 11-12-17 in an official capacity.
Throughout the following texts from this date, there are several instances of Strzok meeting with Bill, Jen and Dina: the Assistant Director and his DADs.
I’m going to cut this thread here. There’s more to come, but maybe this will help others find something new in the texts. Keep searching.
In an upcoming thread, I’ll address why I believe this is the unredacted text from 9-21-16:
