Threat list case back open in Shawano

SHAWANO - One year ago this week, authorities made the shocking announcement that 60 people in Shawano County were potential targets of an implied threat. Shawano County Sheriff Randy Wright, one of those on the list, says the risk of danger is still as real today as it was then.

"There is still an alleged threat list out there, I advise people in the community, especially those on the list, to take things seriously, watch their surroundings and be vigilant," said Wright.

Wright's warning comes as several Shawano County sources confirm FBI investigators are back on the case -- just weeks after it was seemingly closed.

On October 1, federal prosecutors announced no charges would be filed in connection to the threat list investigation. On Monday, however, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin said the case is still open.

The uncertainty has frustrated many in Shawano, especially since there have been no arrests and minimal information shared in the high profile case.

A FBI spokesperson did not return FOX 11's calls for comment and Shawano law enforcement officials are not saying what may have changed for the case to gain some momentum.

Authorities initially connected the threat list to a secretive group known known as the Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology, or SIST.

The organization has been at odds with Shawano city and county officials for a number of years. The disagreements stem mainly from the organization's business operations --- SIST owes hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid taxes.

In her only interview last November, SIST's CEO Naomi Isaacson claimed the list was made up by city officials to run the group out of town.

"City officials, scared by the thought of being exposed, rushed to start a scandalous security alert, propaganda campaign against SIST by creating a hit list to rouse, enflame and terrorize the public to bring about our demise," said Isaacson, in November 2008.

Alan Eisenberg, an attorney for the group, said on Monday that the sheriff's claim that the investigation is back open is "bogus."

Wright said the Shawano County Sheriff's Department is still paying close attention to SIST.

"If there's anything that comes about that seems strange or out of place, we do look into that, yes," said Wright.

It's a community still looking for answers -- a whole year after the questions began.