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McCabe Report Is Sent to Prosecutors to Weigh Possible Criminal Inquiry McCabe Report Is Sent to Prosecutors to Weigh Possible Criminal Inquiry
(about 1 hour later)
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department’s inspector general has referred to federal prosecutors his findings that Andrew G. McCabe, the former F.B.I. deputy director, had repeatedly misled investigators, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday.WASHINGTON — The Justice Department’s inspector general has referred to federal prosecutors his findings that Andrew G. McCabe, the former F.B.I. deputy director, had repeatedly misled investigators, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
The prosecutors will now have to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to open a criminal investigation.The prosecutors will now have to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to open a criminal investigation.
The referral came days after the inspector general, Michael E. Horowitz, released a highly critical report accusing Mr. McCabe of demonstrating a lack of candor and releasing sensitive information related to an ongoing criminal investigation.The referral came days after the inspector general, Michael E. Horowitz, released a highly critical report accusing Mr. McCabe of demonstrating a lack of candor and releasing sensitive information related to an ongoing criminal investigation.
The referral, though a relatively common step when an inspector general finds possible wrongdoing, is the latest blow to Mr. McCabe’s reputation. He was fired from the F.B.I. in March over the allegations. Mr. Horowitz had concluded that he was less than forthcoming when questioned by investigators about the disclosure of information to a Wall Street Journal reporter about an ongoing criminal investigation into the Clinton Foundation.The referral, though a relatively common step when an inspector general finds possible wrongdoing, is the latest blow to Mr. McCabe’s reputation. He was fired from the F.B.I. in March over the allegations. Mr. Horowitz had concluded that he was less than forthcoming when questioned by investigators about the disclosure of information to a Wall Street Journal reporter about an ongoing criminal investigation into the Clinton Foundation.
Mr. McCabe appealed the decision, which would have allowed him to retire with his full government pension. But Attorney General Jeff Sessions rejected the overture just hours before Mr. McCabe was eligible for his benefits.Mr. McCabe appealed the decision, which would have allowed him to retire with his full government pension. But Attorney General Jeff Sessions rejected the overture just hours before Mr. McCabe was eligible for his benefits.
Spokespeople for the inspector general, Mr. McCabe and the United States attorney’s office in Washington all declined to comment.Spokespeople for the inspector general, Mr. McCabe and the United States attorney’s office in Washington all declined to comment.
The inspector general’s decision is all but certain to provide President Trump with more ammunition to attack Mr. McCabe, whom he has repeatedly lambasted as a deep-state bureaucrat working in concert with the former F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, to undermine Mr. Trump’s legitimacy. After the inspector general report detailing Mr. McCabe’s behavior was made public last week, Mr. Trump went on the offensive.
“He LIED! LIED! LIED! McCabe was totally controlled by Comey — McCabe is Comey!! No collusion, all made up by this den of thieves and lowlifes!” Mr. Trump wrote on Twitter.
The F.B.I. and the Justice Department have come under withering scrutiny by Mr. Trump and his allies as the investigation by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, continues. Mr. Trump sees Mr. Comey and Mr. McCabe at the center of what he perceives as an illegitimate investigation and a “witch hunt.”
Mr. McCabe contended that the inspector general’s report and his firing were meant to discredit him as a witness in the investigation.
The inspector general’s report determined that on four occasions, Mr. McCabe demonstrated a lack of candor in talking to investigators. Mr. McCabe has rebutted those allegations, describing them as “egregious inaccuracies” in the inspector general report.
The report also said Mr. McCabe improperly shared information about the Clinton Foundation investigation. Mr. McCabe has said disclosing the details was in the public interest and that he was authorized to share it.
The inspector general concluded that that engagement initiated by Mr. McCabe had not been justified under the media policy of the F.B.I. and Justice Department and constituted misconduct.
Mr. Horowitz is expected to release another report in the coming weeks summarizing an examination of the F.B.I.’s actions during the 2016 election.
The criminal referral on Thursday ratchets up an already corrosive atmosphere pitting Mr. McCabe and Mr. Comey against the president.
Mr. Comey, the author of a newly published book, “A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership,” has gone on tour and mounted a high-profile broadside against Mr. Trump, saying he is not fit to hold office and comparing him to a mobster. Mr. Comey’s comments have infuriated the president who has fired back that the former director was the worst in F.B.I. history.
Mr. McCabe does have plenty of supporters. This month, he raises more than a half-million dollars for his legal-defense fund.