The former General Counsel of the FBI is currently the subject of a criminal investigation related to unauthorized leaking to the media, and Republicans in Congress want more information about it.
U.S. Representatives Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) wrote a letter to John Durham, the U.S Attorney for Connecticut, explaining that they learned about the investigation during a closed-door interview of former FBI General Counsel James Baker by the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees.
Over the course of the private discussion about the FBI and Justice Department’s actions during the 2016 election season, the letter says, Baker’s attorney cut in because a question that was posed was related to leaks.
“I’m sorry, I’m going to cut — not let him answer these questions right now,” attorney Daniel Levin said, according to a transcript included in the letter. “You may or may not know, he’s been the subject of a leak investigation which is still — a criminal leak investigation that’s still active at the Justice Department.”
Levin then said, “I’m cutting off any discussion about conversation with reporters,” before informing the Committees that the investigation was being handled by Durham.
“We are writing to request additional information about your ongoing criminal investigation of James Baker,” Meadows and Jordan said in their letter. They claimed that the information would be useful as they continue the House investigation of FBI and DOJ actions related to the election.
“Without being apprised of the contours of your leak investigation and Baker’s role, we run the risk of inadvertently interfering with your prosecutorial plans,” they said.
The congressmen requested a briefing from Durham’s office to be submitted later this month.
When contacted by Law&Crime, Durham’s office had not comment on the matter.
Letter to Connecticut U.S. … by on Scribd
[Image via C-SPAN screengrab]
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