Update 4:50 p.m.
Sen. Levin's office says as a precaution, the Saginaw office will remain closed until further notice. In a statement, Levin said:
“Law enforcement officials are performing tests on the suspicious letter that was delivered to my Saginaw office. We do not expect to learn at least a preliminary result of those tests until late tonight or tomorrow. The staffer who discovered the letter is being kept overnight at a local hospital for precautionary reasons, but has no symptoms. We do not know yet if the letter has any connection to suspicious mail sent to other public officials. I want to repeat how grateful I am to local, state and federal authorities who reacted so quickly and professionally, and especially to my Saginaw staff for being so vigilant."
4:35 p.m.
An FBI spokesman says the incident is still under investigation, but that people were allowed to return to the building a little after 3 p.m.
1:15 p.m.
Senator Carl Levin's office in Saginaw was evacuated this morning after a staffer received a suspicious-looking letter.
The letter was unopened and authorities still don't know whether it presented a threat, Levin wrote in a statement.
"Earlier today, a staffer at my Saginaw regional office received a suspicious-looking letter," he wrote. "The letter was not opened, and the staffer followed the proper protocols for the situation, including alerting the authorities, who are now investigating. We do not know yet if the mail presented a threat. I’m grateful for my staff’s quick response and for government personnel at all levels who are responding."
Levin is in Washington, D.C. today. Two staffers work in the Saginaw office.
Authorities in Washington are investigating suspicious packages sent to President Barack Obama and Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker (R) that contained traces of the poison ricin.
Capitol Police are also investigating other suspicious packages found in Senate office buildings surrounding the Capitol.
- Joseph Lichterman, Michigan Radio Newsroom
