Manhattan, NY - Suspicious Substance Found in Former President Clinton's Office

Manhattan, NY - NYPD from the 28th Pct and Secret Service agents were all on the scene late Friday for a suspicious white powdery substance found at former President Clinton's office in the Harlem section of Manhattan.

A staff member opened a package delivered to the former president's office that contained the white powdery substance and a letter, and called authorities, said Secret Service spokesman Richard Staropoli. He described the letter as a "rambling diatribe," but would not say if it contained threats. Clinton wasn't in the office at the time, but was in the city. "The situation has not affected the president or Mrs. Clinton in any way whatsoever," Staropoli said.

Police and ESU were called to the office building at 55 West 125th Streett, and said that it appeared that the powder was intentionally placed in the package, but it was not a large enough amount to cause a cloud, but they were trying to decide whether they would need to decontaminate any of the 47 people who were on the floors where the package was being held as a precaution. Officials determined through a field test that the substance was inert and not toxic.
The package was turned over to the Secret Service for investigation, but officials would not comment on the specifics of the letter, how it was addressed, who sent it, or the type of substance found in the package.

Clinton signed a 10-year lease for the 8,300 square foot penthouse floor of the 14-story building in 2001. The Secret Service takes up 300 square feet of the space.