FBI PUBLIC AFFAIRS - DIRECTOR'S AM NEWS BRIEFING

FBI PUBLIC AFFAIRS - DIRECTOR'S AM NEWS BRIEFING TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 5:00 AM EDT New York's Eastern District To Expand Civil Rights Unit To Probe Bias Crimes. Newsday (NY) (3/29, 776K) reports that "federal prosecutors on Long Island on Monday announced an expanded effort to investigate alleged hate crimes in the wake of an increase in violence targeting Asian Americans." Acting US Attorney Mark Lesko for the Eastern District said the office's existing Civil Rights Section will double in size as a result" from three to six prosecutors, "though more will be assigned on an as-needed basis." The head of the FBI in New York, William Sweeney, said of the EDNY's expanded unit: "We can't investigate what we don't know, however, so I would urge anyone who has been the victim of a hate crime, or anyone who has witnessed a hate crime, to report this information to the FBI by calling 1.800-CALL-FBI or submitting a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. Victims should know that information may