FEMA chief besieged Brock Long faces possible criminal investigation

William "Brock" Long, a senior official with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is facing a possible criminal investigation into his use of government vehicles, according to an internal investigation by US lawyers. others familiar with the subject.

Development is intensifying pressure on Long to resign and intervene as he directs FEMA's response to Hurricane Florence.

Long has been scrutinized by the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security for using vehicles to travel between Washington and his home in Hickory, North Carolina, where his wife and children live.

The difficult situation of Long has put the White House in a delicate position, according to an official of the administration speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a possible criminal case. President Trump was pleased with Long's performance at FEMA, and officials worried about the potential fallout from its withdrawal as large parts of North and South Carolina remain under water in Florence.

Long arrived in North Carolina on Monday night and intends to probe the damaged areas with Governor Roy Cooper (D) on Tuesday. The storm killed at least 32 people.

A person familiar with the investigation stated that the Justice Department had to determine whether Long's travel justified criminal charges. He said he did not do anything ethical and remained committed to managing the hurricane response.

"I am not focused on this investigation," he said in a statement on Monday. "I am fully focused on those who have been affected by Hurricane Florence."

Long's dismissal of federal prosecutors was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

DHS officials addressed questions to the inspector general's office, which did not respond, and to the Justice Ministry, which declined to comment.

Trey Gowdy (RS.C.), chairman of the government's oversight and reform committee, sent a letter to Long on Monday asking for documents regarding his use of federal vehicles and communications with employees who might join him on trips. in the North. Carolina.

Current and former FEMA staff members say that a crucial aspect of the investigation will depend on how prosecutors and administrators interpret the laws that require Long to stay in communication with his agency and senior officials in Washington.

As the federal government's chief emergency officer, the FEMA administrator is required by the executive's directive to have access to classified communication capabilities that help to ensure the continuity of catastrophic events, including terrorist attacks and natural disasters.

Unlike office secretaries, Long does not have a 24-hour security system.

"Let's put some context on the vehicles they talk about," Long said in an interview with CBS on Sunday. "This work is so incredibly complex. [On] My shoulders are the Presidential Preparation Directive 40, which means that you must make sure that FEMA must ensure that the executive is working on its worst day at any time, no matter what we see and many. it is the continuity of the government. These vehicles must provide me with secure communications.

But DHS officials and investigators seem to consider its use of vehicles and the staff that accompanied it when traveling home as an unethical use of government resources. For a long time, they often left Washington to spend three weekends in North Carolina, traveling hundreds of kilometers with assistants staying in hotels at taxpayers' expense, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the area. 39; investigation. Officials are also investigating an accident involving a vehicle driven by one of FEMA's staff members, according to the Journal.

Long's supporters described the investigation as diverging between DHS and FEMA regarding the use of these specialized vehicles to meet these requirements.

[Alarm grows inside FEMA as Brock Long fights for his job]

"The administrator is at the clock 24 hours a day, 7 days a week," said a former senior FEMA official. "There is no vacation, no holidays. So wherever you go, you are responsible for coordinating the communication requirements. "

According to another former FEMA official, the crucial question is what part of Long's home trip is considered potentially criminal.

"Is this the frequency of travel? The SUV? AIDS? What is the criminal act here? For the life of me, I can not understand this part. This is more like a disciplinary matter than a criminal investigation. "

Josh Dawsey contributed to this report.