Graham discusses Al-Arian with FBI

U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, spent about 40 minutes Tuesday with senior FBI officials discussing University of South Florida professor Sami Al-Arian.

Graham was joined by U.S. Rep. Porter Goss, R-Sanibel, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

Al-Arian was the focus of a federal investigation in the mid 1990s, when agents suspected that an Islamic think tank he operated at USF was a front for Middle Eastern terrorists. He was never charged with any crime.

USF president Judy Genshaft is considering whether to fire Al-Arian, a tenured professor who came under a firestorm of criticism after his alleged ties to terrorists were aired on national television.

Graham said he could not discuss Tuesday's briefing, but "after further consultation with Congressman Goss, I will be in touch with President Genshaft."

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