Goodlatte on IG Report: Unacceptable to Reward Misconduct with Work Perks

Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today issued the following statement on the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report revealing that Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) employees involved in sexual misconduct received bonuses, awards, or other favorable personnel actions: “Today’s Inspector General report raises serious concerns about the disciplinary process at the Drug Enforcement Administration. Not only did the agents involved in sexual misconduct outlined in a previous report escape appropriate punishment, the majority of them received bonuses or other work perks. This is unacceptable and I expect leadership at the DEA to fix its disciplinary process so that instances such as these never happen again in the future.“The House Judiciary Committee will continue to keep a watchful eye on the DEA and will do whatever it takes to see that these problems are fixed by the agency.  Leadership at the DEA must crack down on bad behavior so that trust is rebuilt with the American people.”Background:

• In March 2015, Chairman Goodlatte issued a statement on the OIG report finding that DEA agents allegedly participated in “sex parties” with prostitutes, some of whom may have been provided by drug cartels.
• In April 2015, the Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee held a hearing to analyze misconduct in federal law enforcement. At the hearing, the Deputy Chief Inspector for the Office of Professional Responsibility at the DEA testified about employee misconduct at the agency.
• Following the Crime Subcommittee hearing, Chairman Goodlatte issued a statement on the “retirement” of DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart.