confidential informant

American  

[kon-fi-den-shuhl in-fawr-muhnt] / ˌkɒn fɪˈdɛn ʃəl ɪnˈfɔr mənt /

noun

1. a person who works undercover for law enforcement to gather information about felonious criminal activities: some confidential informants are criminals themselves, hired to work undercover in exchange for leniency or exoneration: CI

   We’re told that this elusive drug lord was finally taken down thanks largely to a confidential informant, whose identity remains fiercely protected.

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Etymology

Origin of confidential informant

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

confidential informant

Unlike a gang case, where the defendants figuring out the name of the confidential informant before trial would be significant, in this case, witnesses have already publicly agreed to testify in exchange for lenient treatment.

From Salon ● Nov. 15, 2023

The process used to partially seal the warrants allows for the protection of sensitive information, such as the identity of a confidential informant.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2023

At the official’s request, Mr. McGonigal opened an FBI investigation into foreign lobbying in which the former Albanian intelligence employee was a confidential informant.

From Washington Times ● Apr. 6, 2023

“You can’t sell stuff to idiots,” Rivers told a confidential informant in a Nov. 15 text exchange, according to court documents.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 16, 2022

"Just who is this confidential informant, anyway, Ole?"

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