PATCON

Through his FOIA suits, and whistleblower testimony, Jesse Trentadue has uncovered many previously-secret details concerning a wide-ranging '90s FBI operation called PATCON. Statements made by a PATCON undercover operative, John Matthews, revealed that PATCON ran from at least 1991 to 1998 and Matthews infiltrated over 22 domestic right-wing 'Patriot' groups during that period of time.

PATCON is FBI shorthand for "Patriot Conspiracy." According to the whistleblower and existing fragmentary records obtained via FOIA, this FBI operation appears to have been like a modern-day version of COINTELPRO where FBI operatives were used to incite violence, entrap people, and even form fake organizations just for the purposes of carrying out criminal activities.

Find here collected coverage of PATCON, documents related to it, and other materials concerning this still highly-secret and redacted history.

Articles and Interviews



Documents:

A Note about PATCON whistleblower John Matthews

In the Spring following the 2014 FOIA trial, the court appointed a Special Master, Dustin Peade, to investigate allegations of witness tampering relating to PATCON whistleblower and operative John Matthews. Below are documents relating to John Matthews.
  08/07/2014  Charles Declaration Re: Motion to Strike August 25, 2014 Hearing
  08/08/2014  Plaintiff's Declaration Re: Motion to Strike August 25, 2014 Hearing
  08/26/2014

Memorandum Decision and Order Setting Evidentiary Hearing on Witness Tampering Allegations
  04/30/2015Memorandum Decision and Order Appointing Special Master