Justice Department reconsiders decision not to prosecute former FBI agents who botched Larry Nasser investigation

by



[ad_1]

“I can inform the committee today that the recently confirmed Deputy Prosecutor for the Criminal Division is currently reviewing this case, including new information that has come to light,” Monaco told the Senate Judiciary Committee. “I want the committee, and frankly I want the survivors, to understand how seriously we take this issue and I think this will warrant a thorough and comprehensive review.”

McKayla Maroney: The FBI Made
Several high-profile gymnasts who were abused by Nassar spoke to the Senate panel last month about the FBI’s lack of accountability and inaction. Lawmakers and gymnasts have expressed outrage at the Justice Department’s decision not to indict two former FBI employees who were referred by the department’s inspector general for potential prosecution.

The justice ministry is currently reviewing its decision not to prosecute the agents, Monaco announced on Tuesday. Monaco declined to provide further details on the new information.

“In light of this review, I think you will understand that I am limited in what more I can say about this,” she said.

Monaco also responded to whether the statute of limitations for lying to the FBI or other potential criminal acts in this case has expired and said it believed it was five years.

Allegations of sexual abuse against Nassar were reported to the FBI in 2015 and 2016, and the agents’ actions were investigated by the Justice Department’s Inspector General for several years after that.

Asked by Senate Judicial President Dick Durbin whether there was any urgency about this criminal review or this timeline, Monaco said: “We take exceptionally seriously our duty to protect victims. There is a feeling. urgency and seriousness with the work that needs to be done. “

The FBI recently fired Michael Langeman, the agent who interviewed gymnast McKayla Maroney, while the other official, Jay Abbott, retired in early 2018.

This story has been updated with additional details.

CNN Tierney Sneed contributed to this report.

[ad_2]

Source link