June 22, 1995
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma (CNN) - Sources say former Army friend Michael Fortier has reached a tentative agreement to testify against terrorism suspect Timothy McVeigh in the Oklahoma City bombing.
The agreement has been forwarded to the Justice Department in Washington for review and a final decision on the terms of the deal, according to sources. Fortier's lawyer, Michael McGuire, told CNN in Oklahoma City Thursday, "I'm not answering any questions."
In Washington, Atty. Gen. Janet Reno was also tight-lipped, saying, "To discuss matters like that would be inconsistent with the ultimate effort of trying to get the people responsible and bringing them to justice."
Fortier is said to have told agents he drove McVeigh to Oklahoma City on a scouting trip 4 months before the attack and was aware of McVeigh's plans to bomb the federal building.
Investigators have been pressing for prison time for Fortier, perhaps as much as 15 years, as part of the deal for his testimony, but terms of the tentative agreement are not known yet.
Fortier served in the same Army unit with McVeigh and the only other man charged in the bombing, Terry Nichols. Sources say he may have knowledge of Nichols' role in the attack, as well.
Fortier is said to be in Oklahoma City and may have testified already before the grand jury, according to sources.
The sources say Fortier may be allowed to return to his hometown of Kingman, Arizona, perhaps by this weekend, but only to get his personal affairs in order to prepare for a long time in federal custody.
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