D E PA R T M E N T O F J U S T I C E | O F F I C E O F T H E I N S P E C T O R G E N E R A L
Finding of Misconduct by a Then U.S. Attorney for Having an Intimate Relationship with a Subordinate
The Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) initiated an investigation after receiving
information from the Executive Office for the U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA), alleging that a then U.S. Attorney (U.S. Attorney)
may have sent an inappropriate text message to a subordinate.
During its investigation, the OIG found indications that the then U.S. Attorney engaged in an intimate relationship with the subordinate. The OIG investigation did not substantiate the initial allegation that the U.S. Attorney sent an inappropriate text message to the subordinate.
However, the OIG investigation found that the then U.S. Attorney committed misconduct by engaging in an intimate relationship with the subordinate, in violation of an instruction given by a then Associate Deputy Attorney General at the U.S. Attorney’s orientation that such relationships between U.S. Attorneys and subordinates would not be tolerated.
The U.S. Attorney resigned while the OIG investigation was ongoing.
The OIG has completed its investigation and provided its report to EOUSA, the Office of the Deputy Attorney General for their information, and DOJ’s Office of Professional Responsibility for appropriate action.
Unless otherwise noted, the OIG applies the preponderance of the evidence standard in determining whether DOJ personnel have committed misconduct.
