Judicial Watch: New FBI Records Show FBI Leadership’s Conflicts of Interest Discussions on Clinton Email Investigation
Advised of possible conflict of interest between Jill McCabe candidacy and Clinton email investigation, Comey responded that he “has no issue with it”
Dep. Dir. McCabe used official FBI email to promote wife’s candidacy: ‘Check her out
on Facebook as Dr. Jill McCabe for Senate.’
(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch today released 79 pages of Justice Department documents concerning ethics issues related to FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe’s involvement with his wife’s political campaign. The documents include an email showing Mrs. McCabe was recruited for a Virginia state senate race in February 2015 by then-Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam’s office.
The news that Clinton used a private email server broke five days later, on March 2, 2015. Five days after that, former Clinton Foundation board member and Democrat party fundraiser, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, met with the McCabes. She announced her candidacy on March 12. Soon afterward, Clinton/McAuliffe-aligned political groups donated nearly $700,000 (40% of the campaign’s total funds) to McCabe’s wife for her campaign.
Judicial Watch obtained the documents through a July 24, 2017, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit filed after the Justice Department failed to respond to an October 24, 2016, FOIA request (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No. 1:17-cv-01494)). Judicial Watch seeks:
An October 23, 2016, email shows McCabe running the response effort to a Wall Street Journal article that was published that day, titled “Clinton Ally Aided Campaign of FBI Official’s Wife.” McCabe provides Michael Kortan, the assistant director of Public Affairs, his version of a timeline of events surrounding the Clinton investigation and his wife’s campaign. McCabe said he contacted then-FBI Chief of Staff Chuck Roseburg about Jill McCabe’s candidacy and was told that “the D [Comey] has no issue with it.” (Judicial Watch earlier this month released documents showing that McCabe finally did recuse himself from the Clinton investigation only a week before last year’s presidential election.)
Internally, the Wall Street Journal article started a flurry of emails among Mrs. McCabe’s campaign, Kortan, Director McCabe, and the FBI’s General Counsel. Part of that exchange is an email from McCabe to someone in the General Counsel’s Office: “Sucks pretty much. Buckle in. It’s going to get rough.” The colleague responds, “I know. It’s awful. I shouldn’t be shocked by now, but I really am appalled.” McCabe also forwarded the article to Comey who responded, “Copy.”
On October 24, 2016, a memo was sent to all Special Agents in Charge, Assistant Directors, Executive Directors and the General Counsel’s Office regarding the Wall Street Journal article discussing campaign activities concerning Mrs. McCabe. Kortan suggested that questions could be referred to his office and he attached an “Overview of Deputy Director McCabe’s Recusal Related To Dr. McCabe’s Campaign for Political Office.” The Overview itself was previously reported by Judicial Watch.
The documents also show repeated use of the official FBI email system in connection with Mrs. McCabe’s political campaign. For example:
The documents include an October 2016 letter from House Government Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz to McCabe questioning a possible conflict of interest by noting that Clinton headlined a Virginia fundraiser on June 26, 2015, for Mrs. McCabe. “A significant amount was donated after the FBI had initiated its investigation and begun meeting with Secretary Clinton’s attorneys in August 2015.”
The documents also show that FBI leadership was sensitive to reports of FBI internal dissent with then-Director Comey’s handling of the Clinton investigation. On October 24, 2016, Mrs. McCabe forwarded to Director McCabe a True Pundit article titled, “FBI Director Lobbied Against Criminal Charges For Hillary After Clinton Insider Paid His Wife $700,00.” The story reported that former FBI Executive Assistant Director John Giacalone resigned in the middle of the Clinton email investigation because he saw it going “sideways” and that Jill McCabe received money from a PAC headed by McAuliffe, who was under investigation by the FBI for campaign finance law violations. McCabe forwarded the article to Comey, noting “FYI. Heavyweight source.” Comey replied to McCabe, copying Chief of Staff James Rybicki, saying, “This still reads to me like someone not involved in the investigation at all, maybe somebody who heard rumors …”
“These new documents show that the FBI leadership was politicized and compromised in its handling of the Clinton email investigation,” said Tom Fitton, Judicial Watch President. “It well past time for a do-over on the Clinton emails that requires a new, honest criminal investigation of her misconduct.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee and the U.S. Special Counsel have opened investigations into whether McCabe violated the Hatch Act and failed to properly disclose payments to his wife’s campaign on his ethics report. The Justice Department's Inspector General is examining McCabe for failing to recuse himself from the Clinton investigation due to his meeting with McAuliffe.
Judicial Watch filed a separate FOIA suit on behalf of retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jeffrey A. Danik against the Department of Justice. Additionally, Judicial Watch filed FOIA lawsuits seeking employment records and communications related to McCabe.
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With Thanksgiving break around the corner, I'm following up on my previous note to suggest a story idea for Weber Sentinel News on why it's time to finally have the "talk" with your kids... about college, that is.
You've dreaded this moment for years, happy to avoid awkwardness and uncomfortable explanations. But recently, your child has been asking the hard questions, like "How long can I really live at home after high school?" and "Why can’t I just attend Hogwarts?" You know you can't dodge the talk forever.
According to the education experts at Magoosh [https://magoosh.com]—an online solution that gives everyone access to enjoyable, affordable, and quality test prep—the perfect time to map out the road to college is Thanksgiving break, when you and your child both have excess time. Here are 4 steps to having a successful (and not stressful) talk:
>> STEP 1: SET GOAL SCHOOLS
Start the conversation by asking your child about their dream schools. Always get excited and encourage their choices—they don't need any negativity coming from their own family.
>> STEP 2: LET'S TALK ABOUT TESTS, BABY
Look up the test scores your child needs to get into their dream schools and set a goal score. Then, gently tell them the way to meet their goals is to start studying for the ACT and SAT early instead of trying to go into the test blind.
>> STEP 3: LET YOUR CHILD SET THE TONE
Ask your child what would best help them prepare for the test instead of trying to force resources on them—and then help them choose some low-cost, fun options they can get started with after the break.
>> STEP 4: TALK BEFORE THE TURKEY
Don't try to force a stressful talk on your child right before an exciting holiday—make a detailed college plan at the beginning of the break and use the Thanksgiving feast as a reward for getting it done!
On a mission to make test prep fun and affordable for all, Magoosh offers quality SAT and ACT prep materials for hundreds of dollars less than their competitors. They're offering a Thanksgiving discount for those having "the talk" with their child. Their sale will run from Wednesday, Nov. 22 - Tuesday Nov. 28 with code MAGOOSH20SALE at checkout:
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November 20, 2017
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
You don't want to miss the dazzling Christmas spectacular “The Night before Christmas” presented by Salt Lake City’s own Salt Lake Ballet Theater accompanied by students from around Salt Lake City.
Inspired by the traditional “The Night before Christmas” by Clement Clark Moore, the show takes an original twist with the story of a little girl, Alexandria, who brings the audience along as she travels through a swirl of magical settings including the land of the Christmas Fairy, Land of the Snow Queen, Story Book Land, the Palace of the Sugar Plum Fairy, as well as Santa’s Palace and many other wonderful experiences.
“The Night before Christmas” includes a cast of over 100 dancers ranging in age from 4 to 30, with marvelous sets, gorgeous costumes, and highly skilled choreography. There's a wide variety of dance styles beyond classical ballet, including fiery flamenco, sparkling can-can, spirited tarantella, and reverent liturgical. It's entertainment for the whole family.
"The Night Before Christmas is playing at the Rose Wagner Theater at 138 west 300 South (downtown Salt Lake) for three shows only:
Tickets are on sale through Arttix. Call 801-355-ARTS (2787) or visit the Box Office in person or online at www.arttix.org.
Find out why this show has become a joyous community tradition and treasure.
