Hearing Wrap-Up – DOJ IG: Handling of Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Allegations
Witnesses:
Michael Horowitz, Inspector General, US Department of Justice (DOJ)
Kevin Perkins, Associate Deputy Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Michele Leonhart, Administrator, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
CLICK HERE FOR HEARING MATERIALS
Takeaways:
- DEA Administrator Leonhart claimed she is unable to fire agents who solicit prostitutes or engage in sexual misconduct, citing Civil Service laws. Reforms are necessary to expedite the removal of such offenders.
- The FBI and DEA “impeded and obstructed” the DOJ OIG’s ability to move forward with their investigation in a timely manner.
- Agencies’ inconsistent and improper charging of offenses led to drastically insufficient punishment and discipline.
Hearing Purpose:
- Examining the handling of sexual misconduct allegations, including allegations not being reported to headquarters, and disciplinary actions that did not adequately address the solicitation of prostitutes.
- Evaluating the FBI and DEA’s lack of cooperation with the DOJ OIG investigation.
Background:
- On March 26, 2015, the Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General (DOJ OIG) released a report titled, “The Handling of Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Allegations by the Department’sLaw Enforcement Components.”
- The DOJ OIG found systemic issues with the handling of sexual misconduct allegations, including allegations not being reported to headquarters, and disciplinary actions that did not adequately address the solicitation of prostitutes by agents in jurisdictions where the conduct is legal or tolerated.
- Among other reprehensible acts, the report described allegations that Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents engaged in “sex parties” that involved prostitutes hired by drug cartels in Columbia.
- After the DOJ OIG released its report, Attorney General Eric Holder issued a memo to DOJ personnel stating that employees are “prohibited from soliciting, procuring, or accepting commercial sex.”
Chaffetz: “It’s an embarrassment that we have to talk about this… If this is the behavior (the agents) are going to engage in … (then) they should be fired. ”
Mulvaney: “I can take an underage hooker from a cartel I’m investigating and you can’t fire me?”
Palmer: “Are you willing to call (what the DEA and FBI) did obstruction?”