DOJ Inspector General to Testify Next Week Following Release of Investigative Report on Operation Fast and Furious

WASHINGTON – House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa today announced that Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz, following the release of his report of the investigation into reckless conduct in Operation Fast and Furious, will testify before the Full Oversight Committee on Tuesday, September 11, 2012. In Operation Fast and Furious, agents failed to interdict firearms destined for Mexican drug cartels while hoping the guns, once recovered at crime scenes in Mexico, would lead them to higher ranking cartel officials. Guns from the reckless Justice Department program, however, contributed to the deaths of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry and an unknown number of Mexican citizens. It also created an ongoing public safety hazard on both sides of the border.

“For a year and a half, Attorney General Eric Holder has cited the ongoing Inspector General investigation as his reason for declining to hold those responsible for reckless conduct in Operation Fast and Furious to account.  Next week, this excuse for delaying action ends,” said Chairman Darrell Issa.  “Although I am concerned that the Justice Department has not given the Inspector General full and unfettered access to all relevant information, Inspector General Horowitz’s report and testimony should add to the understanding of the operation and numerous related management failures at the Department.”

Hearing Details

Witness

• Inspector General Michael Horowitz, U.S. Department of Justice