EXCLUSIVE: House Intelligence, Foreign Affairs Committee Members Compromised By Rogue IT Staff
Luke RosiakInvestigative Reporter11:12 AM 02/04/2017
Three brothers who managed office information technology for members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and other lawmakers were abruptly relieved of their duties on suspicion that they accessed congressional computers without permission.
Brothers Abid, Imran, and Jamal Awan were barred from computer networks at the House of Representatives Thursday, The Daily Caller News Foundation Investigative Group has learned.
Three members of the intelligence panel and five members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs were among the dozens of members who employed the suspects on a shared basis. The two committees deal with many of the nation’s most sensitive issues and documents, including those related to the war on terrorism.
Also among those whose computer systems may have been compromised is Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the Florida Democrat who was previously the target of a disastrous email hack when she served as chairman of the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 campaign.
The brothers are suspected of serious violations, including accessing members’ computer networks without their knowledge and stealing equipment from Congress.
Jamal handled IT for Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Texas Democrat who serves on both the intelligence and foreign affairs panels.
“As of 2/2, his employment with our office has been terminated,” Castro spokeswoman Erin Hatch told TheDCNF Friday.
Jamal also worked for Louisiana Democrat Rep. Cedric Richmond, who is on the Committee on Homeland Security.
Imran worked for Reps. Andre Carson, an Indiana Democrat, and Jackie Speier, a California Democrat. Both are members of the intelligence committee, and their spokesmen did not respond to TheDCNF’s requests for comment. Imran also worked for the House office of Wasserman Schultz.
Then-Rep. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat, employed Abid for IT work in 2016. She was a member of House committees dealing with the armed services, oversight, and Benghazi. Duckworth was elected to the Senate in November, 2016. Abid has a prior criminal record and a bankruptcy.
Abid also worked for Rep. Lois Frankel, a Florida Democrat who is member of the foreign affairs committee.
Indiana Rep. Andre Carson speaks at an Islamic Circle of North America event in 2014. (Youtube screen grab) .
The three men are “shared employees,” meaning they are hired by multiple offices, which split their salaries and use them as needed for IT services. It is up to each member to fire them.
A criminal investigation into five unnamed people began late last year related to serious and potentially illegal violations of House IT policies, Politico reported Thursday. Chiefs of staff for the members were briefed Thursday by the Sergeant-at-Arms.
Capitol Police spokeswoman Eva Malecki said the investigation was still ongoing, and arrests have not been made but staff were “asked to update their security settings.”
Buzzfeed reported that the Sergeant-at-Arms told staff that the subjects were four men who were brothers and one woman. It did not name them. It quoted one of the affected members as saying “they said it was some sort of procurement scam, but now I’m concerned that they may have stolen data from us, emails, who knows.”
Jamal did not return a request for comment from TheDCNF at a personal email address, while emails to House addresses in the three men’s names bounced back Friday.
U.S. Representative Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduces U.S. President Barack Obama to deliver remarks at her senatorial campaign fundraiser event in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. October 9, 2016. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst.
Abid, Imran and Jamal have all shared a house in Lorton, Virginia, that is owned by Hina R. Alvi. Alvi is a female House IT employee who works for many of the same members as the three brothers, as well as the House Democratic Caucus.
Signs of trouble have long been visible in public records. The Congressional Credit Union repossessed Abid’s car in 2009, and he declared bankruptcy in 2012, facing multiple lawsuits.
Alvi, who did not respond to TheDCNF’s request for comment, has taken multiple second mortgages.
Why Do You Think These Three Were Hired In The First Place?
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Security-sensitive jobs typically require background checks for credit and legal problems that can create pressures to cash in on access to secret information and documents.
Jamal, who public records suggest is only 22 years old and first began working in the House when he was 20, was paid nearly $160,000 a year, or three times the average House IT staff salary, according to InsideGov, which tracks congressional salaries. Abid was paid $161,000 and Imran $165,000.
Jack Langer, spokesman for the intelligence committee, said the committee office has its own IT staff and security measures and classified information from the panel is not allowed to be sent to members’ personal offices.
House Intelligence, Foreign Affairs Committee Members Compromised By Rogue IT Staff
The
SWAMP CREATURES are alive and laying in wait for the unsuspecting
targets - they have been in place for decades but they feared not as
the head SWAMP LEADERS were in charge - until - until - a new comer
arrived in the SWAMP and began to shine the light on them. Now they
aren't taking kindly to this threat and they are going to fight and
fight hard to return the SWAMP to the compliant space it was for many
decades. The media is the DARKNESS that has protected those SWAMP
CREATURES and they are in a frenzy as they aren't used to having TRUTH
with it's LIGHT exposing them for their FAKE and MISLEADING coverage.
Once again I ask all of you who are believers and practicers of God's Word and the directive to PRAY to be FERVENT PRAYER WARRIORS - Praying for a hedge of protection around this new administration and all their family members. Name them by name of you know them and pray the protective shield of safety around each of them and for a block to be placed on the spiritual enemy from doing any harm to them.
I have had this message come to me and it really concerns me... I am also moved to share this with you who are believers so you can lift this in prayer. Those who are so determined to cause harm to Donald Trump want to see him suffer in pain so they will go after those who are close to and special to Pres. Trump - making sure he sees his loved one harmed. The enemy within wants to make Pres. Trump suffer and they will not cause him direct harm but will go after family to make him feel LOSS and PAIN. That is why our prayers must include all the family members of the Trump family - the Pence family and the others who are working with Pres. Trump.
If you aren't sure how to fight in this spiritual war we are engaged in then I urge you to obtain and read and then put into practice the art of spiritual warfare. Very few churches even teach this now days because the GOSPEL has been watered down in most denominations - but you can learn how to fight and make a difference if you are willing to pick up the weapons to engage the enemy and WIN.
#1: The Invisible War by Rob Randall http://www.theinvisiblewar.
#2: Pigs In The Parlor by Frank Hammond - at most book stores and now also on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?
We can't fight gators by tossing marshmallows at them. We need to go into this battle FULLY ARMED and FILLED WITH KNOWLEDGE. Gators have learned long ago how to HIDE right in front of you and then to STRIKE when you least expect it... using the natural cover of being a part of the landscape (ie: long time 'trusted'/'vetted' employees).
When you pray - ask to be blessed with WISDOM - Discernment - so you are not misled or deceived by what the flesh sees - you need to see all of this with SPIRITUAL eyes, because the enemy (Satan) comes as a spirit of light but that is to mislead and deceive you.
1 John 4:1 - Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Proverbs 6:16-19 - These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him: (Read More...)
2 Timothy 3:13 - But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Ephesians 6:11 - Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
1 Timothy 4:1 - Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Revelation 12:9 - And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
I do hope and pray that each of you WILL join in this spiritual battle and push the ENEMY back because if you simply stand on the sidelines then go watch one of your ball games and cheer your team on but do nothing to make your TEAM win. Sitting on your behind on a stadium or living room seat brings nothing to the real battle taking place. Shouting isn't fighting anymore than buying a ticket to the game contributes to the battle on the field.
Whose side are you fighting for and with??
Jackie Juntti
Once again I ask all of you who are believers and practicers of God's Word and the directive to PRAY to be FERVENT PRAYER WARRIORS - Praying for a hedge of protection around this new administration and all their family members. Name them by name of you know them and pray the protective shield of safety around each of them and for a block to be placed on the spiritual enemy from doing any harm to them.
I have had this message come to me and it really concerns me... I am also moved to share this with you who are believers so you can lift this in prayer. Those who are so determined to cause harm to Donald Trump want to see him suffer in pain so they will go after those who are close to and special to Pres. Trump - making sure he sees his loved one harmed. The enemy within wants to make Pres. Trump suffer and they will not cause him direct harm but will go after family to make him feel LOSS and PAIN. That is why our prayers must include all the family members of the Trump family - the Pence family and the others who are working with Pres. Trump.
If you aren't sure how to fight in this spiritual war we are engaged in then I urge you to obtain and read and then put into practice the art of spiritual warfare. Very few churches even teach this now days because the GOSPEL has been watered down in most denominations - but you can learn how to fight and make a difference if you are willing to pick up the weapons to engage the enemy and WIN.
#1: The Invisible War by Rob Randall http://www.theinvisiblewar.
#2: Pigs In The Parlor by Frank Hammond - at most book stores and now also on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?
We can't fight gators by tossing marshmallows at them. We need to go into this battle FULLY ARMED and FILLED WITH KNOWLEDGE. Gators have learned long ago how to HIDE right in front of you and then to STRIKE when you least expect it... using the natural cover of being a part of the landscape (ie: long time 'trusted'/'vetted' employees).
When you pray - ask to be blessed with WISDOM - Discernment - so you are not misled or deceived by what the flesh sees - you need to see all of this with SPIRITUAL eyes, because the enemy (Satan) comes as a spirit of light but that is to mislead and deceive you.
1 John 4:1 - Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Proverbs 6:16-19 - These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him: (Read More...)
2 Timothy 3:13 - But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Ephesians 6:11 - Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
1 Timothy 4:1 - Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Revelation 12:9 - And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
I do hope and pray that each of you WILL join in this spiritual battle and push the ENEMY back because if you simply stand on the sidelines then go watch one of your ball games and cheer your team on but do nothing to make your TEAM win. Sitting on your behind on a stadium or living room seat brings nothing to the real battle taking place. Shouting isn't fighting anymore than buying a ticket to the game contributes to the battle on the field.
Whose side are you fighting for and with??
Jackie Juntti
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