Reports abound over the deal cut for Dr. Steven J. Hatfill, perpetual person of interest in the seven year old Anthrax scare following 9/11.  While the Hatfill saga seems like ancient history to most of us, where the former Army scientist became the focus of the FBI’s investigation into letters containing Anthrax virus sent to members of Congress and the media, it’s daily reality to Dr. Hatfill.

But Hatfill, aside from his public denials of having anything whatsoever to do with these letters, sued the government in 2003.  Now they’ve settled.  Here’s the deal :

The settlement calls for an immediate $2.82-million payment to Hatfill. Beginning in 2009, the government will pay Hatfill an annuity of $150,000 a year for 20 years, according to court papers.

Of course, the lawyers take their cut up front.  It was initially reported that Hatfill’s attorney, Mark Grannis, was putting the entire check in his pocket, but reports have backed off that piece, so it’s possible that Hatfill will get enough out of the big check to fill up the tank of his pick-up truck.

But settlement notwithstanding, the wheels of law enforcement continue to grind. 

“The government remains resolute in its investigation into the anthrax attacks, which killed five individuals and sickened others after lethal anthrax powder was sent through the United States mail,” Mr. Roehrkasse said. 

An F.B.I. spokesman, Jason Pack, said the anthrax investigation “is one of the largest and most complex investigations ever conducted by law enforcement” and is currently being pursued by more than 20 agents of the F.B.I. and the Postal Inspection Service. 

“Solving this case is a top priority for the F.B.I. and for the family members of the victims who were killed,” Mr. Pack said.

Twenty FBI and postal agents remain on the case?  Doing what?  Investigating (whatever that means) Hatfill.  You see, he was the only “person of interest” they have, and he remains the only “person of interest” they have. 

However, [Hatfill] was never arrested or charged and a federal judge presiding over his lawsuit said recently that there “is not a scintilla of evidence” linking him to the mailings.

Former federal prosecutors knowledgeable about the investigation said the government payout to Hatfill signified that, in all likelihood, he would never be charged.

Frankly, given the fact that Hatfill will likely be subject to our government’s scrutiny for as long as he lives, precluding him from practicing medicine, working as a government scientists or having anything resembling a normal life, the $150,000 a year payout strikes me as minuscule. 

It seems like somebody at Justice has it stuck in his head that he’s going to get Hatfill, even if it takes forever.  This isn’t just another fine use of our tax dollars, but an example of the disconnect between federal law enforcement focus and reality.  It 24/7 scrutiny over 7 years has failed to reveal a “scintilla of evidence,” maybe he’s, oh, completely and totally innocent of all allegations?

But I can’t leave this discussion of Steven Hatfill before mentioning my favorite snippet of information:

In May 2003, an F.B.I. surveillance car ran over Dr. Hatfill’s foot in Georgetown as he approached the car to take the driver’s picture. He was given a ticket for “walking to create a hazard” and was fined $5.

And that, in a nutshell, sums it all up for me.  Another “proud to be an American” moment.