WASHINGTON -- Three suspicious letters sent to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. in northwest D.C. could be related to more than 50 threatening letters sent to Chase Bank branches across the country.
D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services hazmat units and the FBI responded to the report in the 500 block of 17th Street. No injuries were reported. The FBI determined the letters contained a harmless white power.
More than 50 letters filled with white powder were mailed to Chase Bank branches and federal regulatory offices in 11 cities, including Arlington, Va., this week. The letters included threats to kill their readers within 10 days.
The text of the letters was released Thursday by the FBI.
"It's payback time," the letters read. "What you just breathed in will kill you within 10 days."
The letters accuse the banks of stealing tens of thousands of dollars of people's money. It says to expect repercussions, and to thank the FDIC. It also blames a person whose name was deleted by the FBI.
So far, the powder accompanying the letters has tested negative for dangerous toxins.
