ACLU says FBI misused terror powers

In one case, government records show the FBI launched a terrorism investigation of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in Norfolk, Va., despite acknowledgment by one FBI official that, ''The FBI does not consider PETA a terrorist organization."

The FBI responded that it conducts its investigations appropriately -- subject to US laws and Justice Department guidelines. It said the ACLU mischaracterized some passing references to political groups in FBI files to suggest those groups were under investigation; in other cases the FBI confirmed it was acting on tips tying groups to alleged illegal activities.

''You end up in FBI files with your name and your group's name because you're doing stuff," said John Miller, FBI assistant director of public affairs. ''By and large, the FBI has done a pretty good job sticking to those rules."

The FBI documents indicate the government launched its terrorism investigation of the animals ethics group because it was ''suspected of providing material support and resources to known domestic terrorism organizations," including the Animal Liberation Front and Earth Liberation Front.

The animals' group investigation began in August 2003 and lasted at least 12 months, according to documents. Miller could not say whether the investigation was concluded.

The FBI reports also linked the animals group to the government's investigation of a bombing outside the Shaklee Cosmetic Corp. in Pleasanton, Calif., in September 2003. The FBI said Shaklee conducted animal testing of cosmetic products, and its parent company was a frequent target of campaigns by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and another group, Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty.

Separately, the FBI files said the Norfolk animals group protested a rodeo in Las Vegas in December 2003 with representatives from the Animal Liberation Front and Earth Liberation Front.