San Diego Union-Trib: "Chastized head of local FBI office anounces retirement."

San Diego FBI chief Dan Dzwilewski, who was rebuked by superiors for publicly defending ousted U.S. Attorney Carol Lam, has announced his retirement.

Dzwilewski, who has been at the helm of the San Diego office since July 2003, sent an e-mail to his agents and staff Wednesday saying he planned to take a post as director of security at Sempra Energy. His last day at the bureau is to be April 30.

Some colleagues found the timing of the announcement curious. On Tuesday, FBI Director Robert Mueller acknowledged during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee that one of his subordinates, John Pistole, told Dzwilewski that his statements on Lam were inappropriate and that he should keep quiet.

Dzwilewski had said Lam's firing was political and would adversely affect ongoing corruption cases.

Indeed, Kyle Sampson admitted in questioning this morning by Sen. Feinstein that he personally made a call to an FBI liaison complaining about Dzwilewski's comments that Lam's firing was political.

Someone might want to mention this development to Sen. Feinstein.

Posted by Laura at March 29, 2007 05:11 PM