Ten Myths About the FBI

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been celebrating their centennial year. In their 100 year history there have been lots of myths and rumors about the government agency. The FBI has listed the Top Ten Myths in FBI History on the FBI website. FBI myths are listed here in descending order.

10. The FBI has Nikola Tesla's plans for a "death ray'!

Nikola Tesla as a prolific inventor and gifted physicist and engines. He was best known for developing the basis for AC power. When Tesla died in 1943 it as believed that plans for a particle beam weapon, called a death ray, were among his papers. People believed that the FBI seized the papers. Despite rumors, The FBI as not involved in searching Tesla's effect and did not have possession of his papers or microfilm.

9. The FBI has X-Files

The FBI statement is that they are not on point to investigation the supernatural as Scully and Molder did on the X-Files TV Show. They do have some files on unusual phenomena, but generally only because people report d it and they made a note of it.

8. Elliott Ness was an FBI agent

Elliott Ness never was an FBI agent, but he did work under Director J. Edgar Hoover briefly. Elliott Ness Led Untouchables in Chicago

7. Machine Gun Kelly gave BFI agents their G-Men nickname

According to legend the G-Men label was coined by notorious gangster George "Machine Gun Kelly." When agents arrested the gangster, he tumbled out of his hiding place and yelled "Don't' shoot, G-Men, don't' shoot." It is possible that Kelly never really spoke these words. It is possible that the phrase was the result of creative license on the part of reporters. Machine Gun Kelly and the G-Men

6. The FBI prosecutes cases.

The FBI investigates but does not prosecute. The FBI gathers facts and evidence and presents the information to the local U.S. Attorney in the Department of Justice.

5. There were no minority agents during the Hoover years

While they may not have been ahead of their time in minority hiring, there have been minority special agents since the early 1920's.

4. The FBI routinely spies on the American people

No. The FBI is governed by a well defined set of laws, regulations and guidelines that they follow carefully.

3. The FBI does not cooperate with other agencies

In spite of the way they are portrayed on the media, the FBI says they work with partners across the globe.

2. The FBI has files on every American

The FBI does not keep files on people unless they are a spy, terrorist or criminal.

1. The FBI cannot or should not do intelligence

The FBI has always been both an intelligence agency and a law enforcement/national security organization.

The FBI website stated that these are the top ten myths about the agency.

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