DoJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz has given his draft report to the attorney general. The report delves into alleged FISA abuse by the department and the FBI. The abuses took place as part of the Trump-Russia investigation.
The announcement
The IG sent a letter sent to multiple congressional committees in both chambers. Horowitz announced Friday his office was “finalizing” their report. It is giving a draft of it to Attorney General William Barr “for classification determination and marking.”
The charge of the inspector general and his team was investigation of FBI and Justice Department use of the Steele dossier. The dossier is the infamous report by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele. It was support for securing warrants. The warrants use includes spying on President Donald Trump‘s 2016 presidential campaign. Specifically cited was aide Carter Page. There were three warrants renewals.
Letter contents
Horowitz wrote. “We have now begun the process of finalizing our report by providing a draft of our factual findings to the department and the FBI for classification determination and marking… This step is consistent with our process for reports such as this one that involves classified material.”
Horowitz went on in his letter to say that his team would “proceed with our usual process for preparing final draft public and classified reports, and ensuring that appropriate reviews occur for accuracy and comment purposes” after they received the marked-up document in regards to classified material.
A source familiar with the interaction says AG Barr has the report and will begin his review. Horowitz said the attorney general’s staff has “reviewed over one million records and conducted over 100 interviews, including several of witnesses who only recently agreed to be interviewed.”
And the frosting
Last week, prosecutors at the Department of Justice were given the go-ahead to pursue charges against former acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe for allegedly lying to investigators. A recommendation for charges is in place. Its maker is Washington, D.C. U.S. Attorney Jessie Liu but no indictment is in place. Completion of the IG Investigation of Alleged FISA Abuse is complete.