Expansionary Institute

CBS on “60 Minutes” Runs Chilling Expose of Earth Liberation Front,

CBS on “60 Minutes” Runs Chilling Expose of Earth Liberation Front

FBI Tracks Ecoterrorists-- Bombers Target Urban Sprawl ----Group Has Caused $37 Million In Damage. 'Sophisticated People,' Says Agent

(CBS) According to the FBI, the elusive ecoterrorists who have
destroyed $37 million worth of property over four years - and
who have begun targeting American suburbs - will eventually be
infiltrated. 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft reports on
the agency's effort to infiltrate this group, the Earth
Liberation Front (ELF).

"(The ELF is) is a very difficult group to infiltrate," says
FBI Special Agent David Szady, who is in charge of the work.

"However, people said we couldn't infiltrate the Mob…the KGB.
We did in both instances and I think we're going to be able to
infiltrate these people," says Szady.

The underground group has claimed responsibility for more than
30 acts of economic sabotage against companies, researchers,
even individuals it believes are harming the environment. So
far none of its members has been identified or caught.

"These are sophisticated people," says Szady. "So they'll
figure out: 'We're going to attack it at night, with
night-vision goggles, put socks over our shoes, leave nothing
behind to create a crime scene that law enforcement can tie us
in with.'"

Its targets, many destroyed using homemade and highly
efficient fire bombs, include lumber company offices,
buildings at the Vail Ski Resort and recently, suburban home
construction sites, which it says contribute to urban sprawl.
The ELF claimed responsibility for burning three half-built
luxury homes on Long Island, N.Y., and the Glendale, Ore.,
offices of the Superior Lumber Company – crimes committed in
the last few weeks.

The ELF claims responsibility for its crimes through
28-year-old Craig Rosebraugh of Portland, Ore. Rosebraugh
denies being or knowing a member of the group and says it
contacts him via anonymous email messages. Rosebraugh doesn't
consider the ELF a violent group.

"(The ELF is) is using illegal direct action to try and stop
the continued destruction of our natural environment. They're
not threatening individuals. They're threatening individuals'
property," he says. So far, no one has been hurt, though
several firefighters nearly died when a roof collapsed during
a fire set by the ELF.

Szady can't believe Rosebraugh's claim to not know the group
or his attitude toward it.

"I believe he knows the membership," says Szady. "How do you
look the American people in the eye and say 'We're not going
to hurt anybody, we're just going to burn down your
buildings?' That's absurd."

FBI Special Agent David Szady is in charge of the work.

Sun Jan 14