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

Months later, when the FBI tracked down a copy of the paperwork used to justify the search, investigators discovered that Deputy 1 had based it on information from an unnamed confidential informant.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2024

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 Missouri Supreme Court set aside Carnes’ conviction in 2022, in part because because an eyewitness account from a confidential informant that might have led to his exoneration was not given to Carnes’ defense team.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 27, 2023

At the official’s request, Mr. McGonigal opened a criminal probe into foreign lobbying in which the former Albanian intelligence employee provided information as a confidential informant.

From Washington Times • Feb. 28, 2023

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

From By Proxy by Dongen, H. R. van