Podcast :

The American Islamic College evening Lecture Series hosted two incredible guests: the event’s moderator, Ms. Christina Abraham, CAIR-Chicago’s Civil Rights Director, and FBI Agent, Robert D. Grant.

Ms. Abraham articulated the complexities in dealing with critical issues that have become ever-more apparent and ever-more prevalent due to our 21^st century global context.  Her informative layout of the topic’s context transitioned agreeably into Agent Grant’s discussion on the FBI’s role in this “changing world.”  He immediately made known that the “FBI is not against Muslims.”  The lecture was highly insightful, sparking inquisitive and difficult questions, and reflective conversation that ended in deep appreciation for Mr. Grant’s sincere presentation.  The night’s participants enjoyed the lecture with a delightful Arabic cuisine and thoughtful dialogue.

Abstract :

The FBI in a Changing World

The mass murders on 09/11/2001, proved to serve as the accelerant for change.  Change was already underway fostered by an increasingly interconnected and globalized world; the collapse of the former Soviet Union; and, the emergence of new centers of power, influence and the spread of liberty.

Robert D. Grant - FBI

Mr. Grant was born in Reno, Nevada, raised in Virginia and is a 1980 graduate of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, where he majored in accounting and economics.  After several years working in the private sector, he began his career as a Special Agent with the FBI in November 1983.  After graduating from the FBI Academy, he was assigned to the Memphis Field Office, where he successfully investigated White Collar Crime (WCC), Violent Crime (VC) and Drugs completed a highly successful Undercover Operation and served on the FBI SWAT Team.  In 1986 he was transferred to the New York Division where he successfully investigated International Terrorism and financial crimes.

In 1989, Mr. Grant was promoted to Supervisory Special Agent in the Inspection Division at FBI Headquarters.  He worked with a team of Inspectors and Auditors conducting operational, performance and compliance evaluations of Field Offices, Headquarters Divisions and Foreign Offices of the FBI.  In addition, Mr. Grant conducted several special internal investigations; most notably the investigation of allegations of criminal and ethical misconduct by former FBI Director William S. Sessions.

In 1994, Mr. Grant was selected to serve as a Supervisor in the Chicago Field Office, where he supervised Health Care Fraud, Public Corruption and other white collar crimes.  While in Chicago, he successfully supervised the investigation of Mark Whitacre, former President of the BioProducts Division of the Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) Co., after allegations surfaced that Whitacre was involved in criminal activity while working as an informant for the FBI during a price-fixing investigation of ADM and others.  These investigations formed the basis of the bestselling book, The Informant, by NY Times author Kurt Eichenwald.

In 1998, Mr. Grant was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the San Antonio Field Office, where he was responsible for all criminal and national security investigations in San Antonio, Austin and along the southwest border with Mexico.

In 2002, Mr. Grant was promoted to Inspector, Inspection Division, FBI Headquarters, leading inspections of FBI operations and was later promoted to Chief Inspector of the FBI.  As Chief Inspector, he was responsible for the planning and execution of all inspections of FBI operations domestically and internationally.

Mr. Grant was promoted to Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Office in January 2005.

Moderator

Christina Abraham
CAIR-Chicago Civil Rights Director

Bio: Christina Abraham is the Civil Rights Director at CAIR-Chicago. Christina has spoken and written on issues related to Arab and Muslim civil rights, and actively works to pursue successful resolutions to incidents of discrimination through legal and non-legal channels. Christina is a member of the Advisory Board for the Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights and a member of the Advisory Board of the BRussels International Tribunal. Christina holds a Masters in the Arts of Social Sciences (M.A.) from the University of Chicago where her focus was on Politics in the Middle East, and a Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law, where she received membership in the Order of the Barristers.