James Comey

Conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch on Tuesday announced it obtained records of 14 referrals of FBI employees to the bureau’s OPR (Office of Professional Responsibility) for leaking sensitive or classified information.

Out of the 14 leakers, only four were fired!

The disclosure of these documents come just a few days after Judicial Watch discovered former FBI Director James Comey took his ‘Trump memos’ to his home after he was fired in May of 2017.

According to the DOJ’s OPR, it “investigates certain misconduct allegations involving federal law enforcement agents when they relate to a Department attorney’s alleged professional misconduct, as well as claims of reprisal against FBI whistleblowers.” “If OPR finds professional misconduct in a particular case, a different office—the Professional Misconduct Review Unit—reviews OPR’s findings and determines the appropriate discipline.” Final recommendations are given to “the appropriate office.”

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According to Judicial Watch, former Deputy Director of the FBI Andy McCabe appears to be one of the individuals referred to the OPR.

(Name redacted) (DOJ/O&R) Closed: 3/20/2018 References: 2.5, 2.6, 4.10 SES [Senior Executive Service] employee released the FBI Sensitive information to a reporter and lacked candor not under oath and under oath when questioned about it, in violation of Offense Codes 4.10 (Unauthorized Disclosure – Sensitive Information); 2.5 (Lack of Candor- No Oath); and 2.6 (Lack of Candor – Under Oath). The proposed decision in this matter was made by the AD, OPR. The final decision was made by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. DOK retains final decision-making authority for certain high-ranking FBI officials. MITIGATION: Employee as (redacted) years of FBI service and a remarkable performance record. Employee was facing unprecedented challengers and pressures. AGGRAVATION: Employee held an extremely high position and was expected to comport himself with the utmost integrity. Lack of candor is incompatible with the FBI’s Core Values. FINAL ACTION(S): OPR PROPOSED DECISION Proposed DISMISSAL OPR FINAL DECISION: DISMISSAL

Via Judicial Watch:

The records show that penalties for unauthorized disclosure of sensitive and/or classified information ranged from no action (due to administrative closure) to, as in the case of McCabe, dismissal. Other FBI employees’ offenses reported in the documents list several cases in which the final action was less severe than OPR’s proposal: An unidentified employee was fired. The case was closed in July 2016. An unidentified employee was given a one-day suspension without pay. The case was closed in April 2016. The following year, an unidentified employee received a five-day suspension without pay, and the case was closed administratively in April 2017. An SES agent who “misused an FBI database, and provided sensitive information to a former FBI employee” was reported to have had as mitigation that he felt he “had the support of his Division to use his discretion.” OPR proposed a 15-day suspension, but the final decision was to give a letter of censure. This case was closed in June 2017. An unidentified employee was fired. The case was closed in May 2018. An unidentified employee was recommended for dismissal but received a 45-day suspension. The case was closed in October 2017. An unidentified employee was given a 14-day suspension. The case was closed in March 2016. An unidentified employee, who was cited for misuse of an FBI database and unauthorized disclosure of classified/law-enforcement sensitive/grand jury information, was given a 12-day suspension. The case was closed in January 2016. An unidentified employee received a letter of censure. The case was closed in August 2016. An unidentified employee was given a letter of censure. The case was closed in October 2016. An unidentified employee was accused of “Investigative deficiency – improper handling of documents or property in the care, custody or control of the government; unauthorized disclosure – classified/law enforcement sensitive/grand jury information” and “failure to report – administrative.” It was proposed that they be given a 30-calendar day suspension without pay; the final decision from OPR was that they were given a 10-calendar day suspension without pay. This case was closed in February 2018. An unidentified employee was fired. This case was closed in October 2017. An unidentified employee was given a letter of censure. It was proposed that they be fired, but the final decision was a 60-day suspension without pay. The case was closed in January 2019.

“No wonder the FBI was leaking so profusely. Collectively, these documents show lenient treatment for evident criminal activity. Only four of the 14 employees found to have made an unauthorized disclosure were dismissed from the FBI,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “And even though Andrew McCabe was fired and referred for a criminal investigation for his leak, no prosecution has taken place.”

MASSIVE FBI ethics mess — new @JudicialWatch docs show 14 leakers, most given kid glove treatment! "Insurance policy" Strzok, who targeted @RealDonaldTrump, protected by FBI even as he sues over firing. Big show with @SeanHannity at 9 pm! pic.twitter.com/7hZKfuLAyj — Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) August 6, 2019

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