A Report of Investigation Into the Department's Release of Public Statements Concerning a Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, Election Fraud Investigation in September 2020

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Date Issued

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Submitting OIG

Department of Justice OIG

Other Participating OIGs

Department of Justice OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of Justice

Components

Other DOJ Components

Report Number

24-082

Report Type

Investigation

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Open Recommendations

This report has 5 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use	Additional Details
1	No	$0	$0	Status as of December 31, 2024
As DOJ policy does not address what information Department personnel may include in a statement that is determined to be necessary to reassure the public that the appropriate law enforcement agency is investigating a matter or to protect public safety, we recommend that the Department revise this policy to require that the information contained in a statement released pursuant to JM 1-7.400(C) be reasonably necessary either to reassure the public that the appropriate law enforcement agency is investigating a matter or to protect public safety.
2	No	$0	$0	Status as of December 31, 2024
We recommend that the Department make clear whether the Justice Manual's Confidentiality and Media Contacts Policy, Justice Manual 1-7.000, applies to the Attorney General.
3	No	$0	$0	Status as of December 31, 2024
We recommend that the Department clarify its policies to address whether any of the provisions of 28 C.F.R. 50.2 remain Department policy in light of the existence of the Confidentiality and Media Contacts Policy contained in the Justice Manual.
4	No	$0	$0	Status as of December 31, 2024
If 28 C.F.R. 50.2(b)(9) remains valid Department policy, we recommend that the Department require that requests to the Attorney General or Deputy Attorney General for approval to release information otherwise prohibited from disclosure and any approval to release such information pursuant to 50.2(b)(9) be documented.
5	No	$0	$0	Status as of December 31, 2024
We recommend that the Department consider revising its White House communications policy to clarify what information can be disclosed to the White House in situations where the policy permits communication about a contemplated or pending civil or criminal investigation.