Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz announced today that:

The DOJ Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is initiating a review of DOJ’s use of subpoenas and other legal authorities to obtain communication records of Members of Congress and affiliated persons, and the news media in connection with recent investigations of alleged unauthorized disclosures of information to the media by government officials. 

The review will examine the Department’s compliance with applicable DOJ policies and procedures, and whether any such uses, or the investigations, were based upon improper considerations.  If circumstances warrant, the OIG will consider other issues that may arise during the review.

The review will not substitute the OIG’s judgment for the legal and investigative judgments made in the matters under OIG review.

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) in theU.S. Department of Justice(DOJ) is a statutorily created independent entity whose mission is to promote integrity, efficiency, and accountability within the Department of Justice. The OIG investigates alleged violations of criminal and civil laws by DOJ employees and also audits and inspects DOJ programs. TheInspector General, who is appointed by the President subject to Senate confirmation, reports to the Attorney General and Congress. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) consists of a front office, which is comprised of theInspector General, the Deputy Inspector General, the Office of the General Counsel, and six major components. Each division is headed by an Assistant Inspector General.