Goodlatte Statement on “Retirement” of DEA Administrator Leonhart

Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) issued the following statement on the “retirement” of Michele Leonhart, the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Chairman Goodlatte: “Over the past few weeks, the House Judiciary Committee’s oversight has revealed systemic problems in the disciplinary process at the Drug Enforcement Administration that have permeated several levels of management. In fact, the Department of Justice Inspector General recently testified before the Committee that often it is the supervisors who fail to report agent misconduct to the appropriate authorities and that some supervisors have actually exhibited atrocious behavior as well. The DEA’s pattern of protecting its own agents at the expense of the transparency and justice that the American people deserve must end.  Therefore, I believe a change in leadership at the DEA is warranted.

“The House Judiciary Committee will continue its investigation of misconduct at 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: The House Judiciary Committee, which has primary jurisdiction over federal law enforcement, recently held a hearing on misconduct in federal law enforcement.