Pilati case named to FBI Top 10 list
By Staff
Jason Cannon
Franklin County Times
The investigative work that went into the government's case against former Franklin County District Attorney John Pilati and the nationwide attention the case received put last week's trial in the FBI's Top Ten News Stories for the week ending Nov. 2. according to a release posted to the agency's website.
Pilati, 41, of Russellville, was convicted last week on five counts of violating the civil rights of five young men by subjecting them to unreasonable searches while acting under color of law.
The investigation landed at No. 10 on the list. The top spot went to four California residents convicted of defrauding Microsoft Corporation.
FBI Special Agent Steven Kodak said the FBI's Top Ten list is compiled each week from up to 100 news stories and press releases from the FBI.
"We look at all the cases that got publicity from the 56 field offices," he said, "and we pick the aop Ten that highlight the work the FBI is doing."
Pilati's conviction was the result of an investigation by FBI Special Agent Patrick Stokes, an agent with the Birmingham field office.
Kodak said the Top Ten list is meant to highlight the work of agents in both high-profile and difficult cases.
"We look at the work, the investigative work, that goes into each case and we try to recognize the agents who made a significant impact in the case," he said. "But the crime itself is taken into consideration."
Pilati's sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2008 at 3 p.m. in Florence.
FBI'S Top Ten News Stories For the Week Ending November 2, 2007
1. San Francisco: Operation Cyberstorm Defendants Sentenced for Operating Scheme to Defraud Microsoft Corporation
2. Richmond: Priest Pleads Guilty in Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme
3. New York: Hexcel Corp. Agrees to Pay $15 Million For the Sale of Defective Bullet-Proof Vests
4. Phoenix: Former HHS OIG Special Agent Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Forgery Charges
5. Los Angeles: Sheriff Indicted in Long-Running Corruption Scheme
6. Sacramento: Indictments for Hacking into University's Computer System to Make Unauthorized Grade Change
7. Newark: Abdullahu Admits Supplying Weapons to Illegal Aliens Charged with Planning Attacks on Military Personnel
8. Dallas: Woman Sentenced for Falsely Accusing Trooper of Violating Her Civil Rights
9. Anchorage: Former State Representative Convicted on Public Corruption Charges
10. Birmingham: Former District Attorney Convicted of Rights Violations
