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FBI Cost of Freemen Standoff

NCJ Number
169831
Date Published
1996
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This report is a response to U.S. Senator John Warner's request for information on the costs incurred by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in its standoff with the Montana Freemen 1996.
Abstract
Sen. Warner asked for information on the overall costs of the standoff and the amount over and above normal expenses that would have been incurred by the FBI had the standoff not occurred. In responding to this request, the researchers obtained cost estimates from the FBI, reviewed supporting documentation, and discussed the estimates with FBI officials. The FBI estimated that as of August 7, 1996, the standoff cost approximately $7.5 million. Approximately half of this total consisted of regular salaries and benefits for FBI agents and other FBI personnel that would have been incurred even if the standoff had not occurred. The remaining costs can be attributed specifically to the standoff. Examples of some of these costs are $472,000 for scheduled overtime for FBI agents; $1.6 million for travel, including transportation and per diem costs; $915,000 for miscellaneous costs; $341,000 for rental of equipment; and $334,000 for the rental, storage, maintenance, and fueling of aircraft. 1 table