Prof. Murray Quoted in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Confidential Informants

Continuing its in-depth series of investigative articles on the use of confidential informants by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on a D.O.J. Inspector General report critical of the DEA's practice, particularly of the large payments the agency makes to such informants. Professor JaneAnne Murray was quoted as saying that "this kind of compensation can be corrupting," and does not get explored. She said "[t]he judges aren't questioning these [informants] even though their information may be at the heart of a search warrant or an arrest warrant," and they are rarely put under oath at hearings or trials.