Md. Survivor Speaks On Allegation That U.K. Tabloid Hacked Sept. 11 Victims
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—U.K. tabloid News of The World shut down last week after it was discovered reporters had been hacking into the phones of murder and terrorist victims. Now that scandal is spreading over the pond, as the FBI investigates allegations that reporters also tried hacking Sept. 11 victims.
Derek Valcourt has reaction from a survivor.
The allegations are upsetting to families of Sept. 11 victims. Now one Maryland man says if it's true, it is an egregious invasion of privacy.
When planes struck the World Trade Center in 2001, Steve Peck was in one of the buildings on the 63rd floor. He remembers not only the loss of life but what he calls one of the greatest rescue missions ever.
Because of "the firefighters and police officers who gave their life that day, 30,000 of us got out, many thanks to them," Peck said.
That's why he and many others touched by the tragedy want answers from the FBI.
Did reporters from the British tabloid newspaper attempt to hack the cell phones of Sept .11 victims? A group of lawmakers, including New York Congressman Peter King, made a direct request for the inquiry to FBI director Robert Mueller.
"I have a lot of 9/11 victims in my district," King said. "They're entitled to know if their privacy was violated, if their loved ones privacy was violated."
Lawmakers cited reports that journalists working for the now defunct News of the World tried to solicit an investigator in New York to try to obtain victim's cell phone numbers or cell phones.
The allegations are disturbing to Peck. If there's any truth to it, he says justice is in order.
"You know I was lucky that day," Peck said. "I got out and it bothers me. I can only imagine for people who lost loved ones how they feel knowing that somebody was listening in on their most private phone conversations. I think they need to prosecute that to the fullest extent of the law."
The FBI has a policy not to comment or even confirm an ongoing investigation.
