FBI names cybercrime chief

The FBI on Thursday named Keith Lourdeau as chief of the cybercrime section of the FBI's cyber division.

Since Feb. 2001, Lourdeau was assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's St. Louis division, where he was responsible for the daily operation of the division's administration and operations.

Lourdeau joined the FBI in 1986 and has served in the Chicago, Little Rock, Ark., and St. Louis field offices. While he was serving at the FBI's headquarters, he was detailed to the CIA to assist in establishing a new initiative targeting international organized crime groups.

Also on Thursday, Dale Watson stepped down as the FBI's counterterrorism chief, according to an Associated Press report. Watson, who has served in several counterterrorism and counterintelligence roles since 1982, was criticized by the administration last month when he publicly suggested Osama bid Laden was dead. The FBI has not yet named a replacement for Watson, who will leave the agency next month. The FBI on Thursday also named Thomas Richardson assistant director of the investigative technologies division.

Most recently, Richardson, who joined the FBI in 1975, was acting deputy assistant director of the criminal investigation division's financial crimes, integrity in government and civil rights and operational support unit.