According to an investigation conducted by the Office of Inspector General, an FBI Special Agent in Charge (SAC) illegally directed a subordinate to provide his wife with a monetary reward.
When the unidentified agent was cited for ethics violations related to a financial conflict of interest, they retired and refused to cooperate with the Office of Inspector General.
The Justice Department declined to prosecute the SAC.
“The Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) initiated an investigation after receiving information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Inspection Division alleging that a then-FBI Special Agent in Charge (SAC) assigned the SAC's spouse, who worked within the SAC chain of command, to serve on a committee and subsequently arranged for the members of the committee, including the spouse, to receive monetary rewards in recognition of such service,” it wrote Office of the Inspector General in one research summary.
The SAC instructed a subordinate to give his wife a cash bonus.
“The OIG investigation supported the allegation that the SAC had an alleged financial interest in the husband's receipt of the monetary reward, and that the SAC violated federal ethics regulations and related FBI policies when the SAC – without seeking prior authorization – to participate in the case – orchestrated the husband's receipt of the award by directing a subordinate to complete the paperwork necessary for the husband to receive the award,” the OIG wrote.
The SAC withdrew and refused to cooperate with the Office of the Inspector General.
“The SAC withdrew from the FBI before being contacted by the OIG for an interview. When later contacted by the OIG for a voluntary interview, SAC declined to be interviewed. The OIG has the authority to compel testimony from current DOJ employees after informing them that their statements will not be used to incriminate them in a criminal proceeding. The OIG does not have the authority to compel or subpoena testimony from former DOJ employees, including those who retire or resign during an OIG investigation.” the OIG wrote.
The Justice Department declined to prosecute the SAC and they will retire with a lifetime pension.
A @FBI The Special Agent in Charge instructed a subordinate to give his wife a cash bonus. When he was caught, he withdrew and refused to cooperate with the police @JustitieOIG. Now, @HetJustitieDept refuses to prosecute and the SAC can collect his pension for life – without consequences. pic.twitter.com/TtQMpKjSPo
— Steve Friend (@RealStevefriend) May 15, 2024
