Renea Gaskin

Broward Clerk’s supervisor Renea Gaskin was on duty at the courthouse when Atta’s “wife” appeared, apparently minutes before Atta piloted American 11 into the World Trade Center.

- A woman who identified herself as the wife of Mohamed Atta, the 9/11 hijack leader, appeared at the Broward County Courthouse the same day the terrorists struck seeking to clear up Atta’s traffic record.

FBI agents later took Atta’s court file into evidence, and interviewed the window clerk who spoke with his “wife,” according to officials at the Broward court clerk’s office.

It is not publicly known if the agents ever identified Atta’s “wife” or located her for questioning.

There are no reports that Atta, an Egyptian, ever married.

A spokesman for the FBI in Miami declined to talk about the matter late last week.

“No further information is being released at this time,” said James P. Marshall.

Broward Clerk’s supervisor Renea Gaskin was on duty at the courthouse when Atta’s “wife” appeared, apparently minutes before Atta piloted American 11 into the World Trade Center.

“She stated that she was his wife and wanted to take care of any outstanding tickets,” said Gaskin. “I remember her being dressed in Arab garb.”

The woman went away without getting what she wanted. The citation required a mandatory court appearance by Atta.

The woman actually spoke to another clerk who left the office years ago. Gaskin and others there can only remember her first name, Crystal.

Broward Clerk of Courts Howard Forman said the courthouse was shut down a few hours later amid the ensuing confusion and fear.

The Justice Department publicly identified Atta and the other hijackers two days after the attacks. The news set off a shockwave at the clerk’s office.

“It was like ‘Oh my God, It’s his wife! She was just in here to take care of his ticket.’ We were shocked,” Gaskin recalled.

The FBI arrived quickly. Crystal was interviewed. Atta’s file was obtained by Special Agent Theresa Ann Harris, said clerk supervisor Mary Mossey.

Atta is long dead, but the case against him is alive at the courthouse where it is officially classified as “pending.”

A warrant is also outstanding for Atta’s arrest.

“No one closed it,” said Mossey.