347: Michael di Pretoro – Evolution of the FBI’s Legat Program

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In this episode, retired agent Michael di Pretoro reviews his assignments overseas as a Legal Attaché representing the FBI in Asia and Russia and, as a former Deputy Assistant Director in charge of International Operations, reviews the evolution of the FBI’s Legat Program.

“Louis Freeh then promoted me and I had to laugh with the director. I said, but sir, you’re making me a deputy assistant director. I haven’t even been a supervisor. He said, well, neither was I. So that’s okay…. I don’t know if the numbers have gone up or down, but the bottom line is that it’s really in the interest of the FBI to have people in legats all over the world.”—Retired Agent Michael di Pretoro

Special Agent

Michael di Pretoro

8/1969 – 7/1999

Michael di Pretoro served 30 years with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. His field office assignments were Tampa (Orlando RA), Milwaukee, DLI-Monterey (Russian language) and 15 years in San Francisco (Russian CI program). In 1987, he was posted to the US Embassy, Manila, where he set up the FBI’s Legat Program in the Philippines. In the Manila legal attaché office, working fugitive matters, CT matters (assassinations of US citizens by members of the New People’s Army) and the NY prosecution of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. In 1990, he was transferred to the US Consulate, Hong Kong and served as the Legat with regional responsibility to include India, Sri Lanka & Nepal. In 1992, he traveled to Beijing and initiated a working relationship between the FBI and Chinese Ministry of Public Security on criminal justice matters. Mike received the Director’s Award for his efforts.

In 1994, he had the honor of being the Bureau’s first Legal Attaché, posted to the US Embassy, Moscow, Russia. He served in Moscow for 3 years, initiating working relationships with the Russian MVD, FSB (Counterterrorism matters) and Procurate General’s Office.

For his final assignment, FBI Director Louis Freeh appointed him as the Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) in charge of international operations. In this role, he oversaw the FBI’s Legat Program and FBI personnel assigned to U.S. Embassies worldwide.

After his retirement, Mike was hired by Goldman Sachs as their Regional Security Director based in London. He continues to work as a consultant on international investigations and risk issues.