Watchdog launches investigation into FBI, Justice Dept.

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The Justice Department's Office of Inspector General announced Thursday that it is launching an investigation into the department and the FBI for actions taken in the run-up to last year's Nov. 8 presidential polls.

Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz made the decision in response to requests "from numerous Chairmen and Ranking Members of Congressional oversight committees,
various organizations, and members of the public".

The investigation will examine whether FBI Director James Comey's Oct. 28 and Nov. 6 letters to Congress and July 5 public statements on Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton's emails were appropriate under department and FBI regulations.

The review will also include "allegations that the FBI Deputy Director should have been recused from participating in certain investigative matters," as well as "allegations that Department and FBI employees improperly disclosed non-public information", the department and Horowitz's office said in a joint statement.

Critics have charged that Comey's handling of the investigation into Clinton's use of her private email server during her time as secretary of state significantly harmed her campaign, and helped set the stage for President-elect Donald Trump's victory.

The Oct. 28 letter -- sent just two days before national polls -- particularly vexed the Clinton camp for its disclosure that new emails had been found on a top Clinton aide's laptop. In the end, the emails did not affect the FBI's earlier decision not to charge Clinton.

During a July press conference Comey said that while the FBI would not recommend charges, Clinton and her aides were "extremely careless".