60 FBI Agents Show Support for Colleague

WASHINGTON — About 60 FBI agents, in an unprecedented show of support, traveled from Cleveland to the nation’s capital today to attend the arraignment of a fellow agent charged with attempting to scuttle an investigation of Teamsters President Jackie Presser.

They heard veteran agent Robert Friedrick, 42, plead not guilty to charges of lying to the government about Presser’s role in a payroll-padding scheme.

Friedrick, indicted by a federal grand jury May 15 on five counts of lying under oath last summer, allegedly made false statements that led to the collapse of the government’s probe of Presser last year.

Presser also was indicted May 15 on charges of embezzling money from his Cleveland local.

Lined the Steps

Friedrick appeared to be slightly overcome when the 60 men and women agents from the Cleveland office lined the steps to the courthouse and clapped as he made his way to the door.

Pausing to shake many hands and call some of his friends by name, Friedrick turned to his colleagues and said simply: “Thanks a lot, guys, for coming. I appreciate it.”