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Chairman Jim Jordan and Rep. Matt Gaetz Launch Investigation into McGonigal Scandal

February 2, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) launched an investigation into Charles McGonigal, a former FBI Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Counterintelligence Division. McGonigal was recently indicted on charges of money laundering, violating U.S. sanctions, and other counts stemming from his collusion with a Russian oligarch. The letter to FBI Director Wray demands documents and communications relating to McGonigal and calls for the FBI to arrange a Member-level briefing to discuss its investigation of McGonigal's misconduct.

Excerpts of the letter:
 
"The Committee on the Judiciary is continuing to investigate allegations of politicization and bias at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Just last week, with the indictment of former senior FBI official Charles McGonigal, the American people were reminded yet again about the seemingly pervasive problems within the FBI. We write to request material and information about McGonigal's misconduct. 
 
"On January 23, 2023, the Justice Department unsealed an indictment charging McGonigal, a former Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the New York FBI Counterintelligence Division, for working on behalf of and taking money from Oleg V. Deripaska, a Russian oligarch with ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. McGonigal allegedly violated sanctions imposed by the United States and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by 'agree[ing] to . . . investigate a rival oligarch of Deripaska in return for concealed payment from Deripaska.' McGonigal also allegedly laundered money for and conspired to aid Deripaska.

"McGonigal allegedly took these actions after previously supervising investigations into Deripaska and his Russian rivals. According to the indictment, in his role as SAC of the Counterintelligence Division, McGonigal 'supervised and participated in investigations of Russian oligarchs, including Deripaska.' McGonigal also 'received and reviewed a then-classified list of Russian oligarchs with close ties to the Kremlin who would be considered for sanctions to be imposed as a result of Russia's 2014 conflict with Ukraine.' This misconduct further erodes public confidence in the FBI's conduct and law-enforcement actions. 
 
"McGonigal's indictment also raises new questions about the FBI's counterintelligence efforts during his employment with the FBI. According to reports, McGonigal previously played an instrumental role 'in the decision to launch the Crossfire Hurricane investigation' against then-candidate Donald Trump. In fact, the same Russian oligarch who paid McGonigal was working with Christopher Steele, whose widely discredited information and sources played an '"essential" role in the FBI's effort to obtain wiretap orders against Trump campaign associate Carter Page . . . .' Soon after the FBI launched Crossfire Hurricane, then-FBI Director James Comey promoted McGonigal to be the SAC of New York's Counterintelligence Division, where McGonigal 'stayed engaged in aspects of the investigation, with his "team" questioning Carter Page in March of 2017.' During the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, the FBI abused its authority and altered evidence to support the illegal surveillance of Page."

"In addition, we ask that you arrange a Member-level briefing to discuss the FBI's investigation of Charles McGonigal; its review of pertinent FBI procedures and protocols; and the FBI's assessment of the national security risks posed by McGonigal's collusion with Deripaska."

"Please arrange for this briefing to occur as soon as possible, but no later than February 16, 2023."

Read the full letter here