Judiciary Committee Democrats Ask Immediate FBI Action To Investigate Alleged Crimes Against Dr. Christine Blasey Ford

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Thursday led a letter, joined by all Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, asking the Federal Bureau of Investigation to take immediate action and investigate potential federal crimes being committed against Dr. Christine Blasey Ford since it was disclosed that she alleged Judge Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her years ago.

In the letter, the senators said: “We are increasingly concerned by reports of alleged death threats against her, the hacking of her email, and the harassment and intimidation [Dr. Blasey Ford] has faced since being forced into the spotlight late last week.”

Senate Judiciary Democrats strongly “believe that how Dr. Blasey Ford is treated in this moment reflects upon how seriously our Nation treats credible claims of sexual assault, and whether we have learned from past mistakes,” according to their letter.

The senators are requesting that the Bureau promptly investigate the threats and harassment Dr. Blasey Ford has endured since her disclosure, which implicate numerous federal crimes, and provide updates to Congress as appropriate. Dr. Blasey Ford has expressed her willingness to testify, provided that her safety can be ensured.

The full text of the letter is available here and copied below.

September 20, 2018

The Honorable Christopher Wray

Director

Federal Bureau of Investigation

935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20535

Dear Director Wray:

As members of the Judiciary Committee, with oversight over the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), we are requesting immediate action by the Bureau to investigate potential federal crimes against Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, which appear intended to intimidate a witness in relation to the Supreme Court nomination hearing of Judge Brett Kavanaugh. We are increasingly concerned by reports of alleged death threats against her, the hacking of her email, and harassment and intimidation she has faced since being forced into the spotlight late last week.

The federal crimes potentially being committed against Dr. Blasey Ford may include, inter alia, violations of 18 U.S.C. § 875 (threats transmitted via interstate communications), 18 U.S.C. § 1030 (the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act), 18 U.S.C. § 1505 (obstruction of proceedings before committees), and 18 U.S.C. § 1512 (witness intimidation).[1] Investigating such serious federal crimes is, of course, squarely within the duty of the Bureau and does not require a referral from the White House or any administration officials.

Moreover, because these alleged federal crimes appear intended to intimidate Dr. Blasey Ford and potentially prevent her from testifying about her credible allegations of sexual assault by Judge Brett Kavanaugh, the FBI may obtain information concerning criminal activity not within the FBI’s investigative jurisdiction, including for example violations of Maryland’s criminal code dealing with rape and sexual assault.[2] As you are aware, when an FBI employee receives such information, the employee “must promptly transmit the information or refer the complaint to a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction.”[3] The FBI may also provide such information to “Congress or to congressional committees.”[4]

The Bureau should promptly investigate these potential crimes against Dr. Blasey Ford and provide updates to Congress as appropriate.

Americans are closely watching. We strongly believe that how Dr. Blasey Ford is treated in this moment reflects upon how seriously our Nation treats credible claims of sexual assault, and whether we have learned from past mistakes. We expect the Bureau to live up to its stated mission, “to protect the American people” and to promptly investigate these criminal allegations.

Thank you for your cooperation and attention in this matter. Given the urgency of this matter, we would appreciate a response no later than September 23, 2018.

Sincerely,

18 U.S.C. § 1515(a)(1) defines “official proceeding” as including “a proceeding before the Congress”. Maryland Code, Criminal Law § 3-303-312.

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Thursday led a letter, joined by all Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, asking the Federal Bureau of Investigation to take immediate action and investigate potential federal crimes being committed against Dr. Christine Blasey Ford since it was disclosed that she alleged Judge Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her years ago.

In the letter, the senators said: “We are increasingly concerned by reports of alleged death threats against her, the hacking of her email, and the harassment and intimidation [Dr. Blasey Ford] has faced since being forced into the spotlight late last week.”

Senate Judiciary Democrats strongly “believe that how Dr. Blasey Ford is treated in this moment reflects upon how seriously our Nation treats credible claims of sexual assault, and whether we have learned from past mistakes,” according to their letter.

The senators are requesting that the Bureau promptly investigate the threats and harassment Dr. Blasey Ford has endured since her disclosure, which implicate numerous federal crimes, and provide updates to Congress as appropriate. Dr. Blasey Ford has expressed her willingness to testify, provided that her safety can be ensured.

The full text of the letter is available here and copied below.

September 20, 2018

The Honorable Christopher Wray

Director

Federal Bureau of Investigation

935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20535

Dear Director Wray:

As members of the Judiciary Committee, with oversight over the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), we are requesting immediate action by the Bureau to investigate potential federal crimes against Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, which appear intended to intimidate a witness in relation to the Supreme Court nomination hearing of Judge Brett Kavanaugh. We are increasingly concerned by reports of alleged death threats against her, the hacking of her email, and harassment and intimidation she has faced since being forced into the spotlight late last week.

The federal crimes potentially being committed against Dr. Blasey Ford may include, inter alia, violations of 18 U.S.C. § 875 (threats transmitted via interstate communications), 18 U.S.C. § 1030 (the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act), 18 U.S.C. § 1505 (obstruction of proceedings before committees), and 18 U.S.C. § 1512 (witness intimidation).[1] Investigating such serious federal crimes is, of course, squarely within the duty of the Bureau and does not require a referral from the White House or any administration officials.

Moreover, because these alleged federal crimes appear intended to intimidate Dr. Blasey Ford and potentially prevent her from testifying about her credible allegations of sexual assault by Judge Brett Kavanaugh, the FBI may obtain information concerning criminal activity not within the FBI’s investigative jurisdiction, including for example violations of Maryland’s criminal code dealing with rape and sexual assault.[2] As you are aware, when an FBI employee receives such information, the employee “must promptly transmit the information or refer the complaint to a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction.”[3] The FBI may also provide such information to “Congress or to congressional committees.”[4]

The Bureau should promptly investigate these potential crimes against Dr. Blasey Ford and provide updates to Congress as appropriate.

Americans are closely watching. We strongly believe that how Dr. Blasey Ford is treated in this moment reflects upon how seriously our Nation treats credible claims of sexual assault, and whether we have learned from past mistakes. We expect the Bureau to live up to its stated mission, “to protect the American people” and to promptly investigate these criminal allegations.

Thank you for your cooperation and attention in this matter. Given the urgency of this matter, we would appreciate a response no later than September 23, 2018.

Sincerely,



18 U.S.C. § 1515(a)(1) defines “official proceeding” as including “a proceeding before the Congress”. Maryland Code, Criminal Law § 3-303-312.

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