Non-CIA employment by agents draws fire

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- A CIA policy allowing employees to work for private companies has raised eyebrows on Capitol Hill and questions within the intelligence community.

The policy also is being reviewed by House Intelligence Committee staffers, a committee spokeswoman told Politico in an article published Tuesday.

"I am concerned and intend to ask questions about it," Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said.

Under the policy, CIA employees' requests to work for private companies are considered on a case-by-case basis, agency spokesman George Little said Monday.

"The agency reviews requests for outside employment using yardsticks of legality, propriety and, of course, security," Little said. "There's a rigorous process to all this, one that's been in place for decades."

Intelligence community observers said the practice raises concerns, including the possibility of moonlighting agents being exposed to conflicts of interest.

"Ideally, (agents) should be fully employed, their loyalty should be fully to the government, and they should be looking to make their careers there," John Radsan, a law professor and an ex-CIA employee, told the Washington publication.

An FBI official said the bureau's agents "are prohibited from outside employment, period," but support workers can moonlight with approval, but not in the same field as their government job.

Other intelligence community agencies also allow outside with prior approval. The Defense Department, which oversees the National Security Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency, allows employees to work outside the Pentagon as long as they don't break the law. Officials told Politico the Homeland Security Department follows the Office of Government Ethics guidelines.