FBI Explores Theories for Boston Terror Tip

Retaliation Being Investigated As Possible Motive for Tip on Boston Terror Threat

AP

BOSTON Jan 22, 2005 — Gov. Mitt Romney said he has become "less concerned, not more concerned" about a potential terrorist threat against the city of Boston. The FBI, meanwhile, is exploring possible theories for the reports including a possible revenge motive.

FBI agents have been looking into an uncorroborated tip that 16 people might be planning an attack on the city. Those allegedly involved in the plot include 13 Chinese nationals, two Iraqis and a man identified on the FBI's Web site as Jose Ernesto Beltran Quinones, whose nationality was not given.

But the tipster who told federal officials about the alleged conspiracy may have fabricated the story out of revenge, a federal law enforcement official said Friday. The law enforcement official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the tipster may have been angry because a group of illegal immigrants had failed to pay for smuggling them into the country.

That scenario is one of many being examined in the case, said the official in Washington, who declined to describe other theories being explored.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=433086