Transmitted: November 9, 2021
To: Department of Justice Office of Inspector General
Full Request: DOJ OIG FOIA Request (PDF)
Re: Records Regarding an Investigation of Misconduct by High-level FBI Agents
SUMMARY
Empower Oversight filed a FOIA request with the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Inspector General (OIG) regarding a recently published investigative summary, which reported that in 2014, three high-level Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials spent $2 million in government funds without proper authorization and then falsified official records to conceal their misconduct.
Specifically, a then-Special Agent in Charge (SAC) and two then-Assistant Special Agents in Charge (ASAC) purchased $2 million in “intellectual property related to a classified undercover operation” without authorization and in violation of FBI policy. In furtherance of the purchase, the ASAC’s failed to disclose accurate cash-on-hand figures, and the SAC “deliberately falsified a funding request,” both of which actions also violate FBI policy.
Before the investigation was completed, the SAC and one of the ASACs retired, and the second ASAC resigned.
The DOJ-OIG reported that prosecution of the three high-level FBI officials was declined and that it had provided a classified report to the FBI for whatever action it deemed appropriate.
Empower Oversight is seeking documents that would explain how the FBI’s internal control procedures failed to prevent the unauthorized $2 million purchase, whether the FBI conducted a criminal investigation into the matter, and why the DOJ did not prosecute these three individuals. Given the SAC’s senior level position with significant powers, authorities, and discretion, Empower Oversight also is seeking records that reveal the SAC’s identity and the regional office where the misconduct occurred.
If you have first-hand information you’d like to disclose to assist Empower Oversight with these inquiries, please contact us confidentially here.