Letter to Hon. Christopher A. Wray, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Durbin, Feinstein, Grassley Press Inspector General, FBI To Act On Larry Nassar Case

Letter

Dear Director Wray:
This letter requests information about the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI)
updated policies in response to the Inspector General's report, "Investigation and Review of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation's Handling of Allegations of Sexual Abuse by Former USA
Gymnastics Physician Lawrence Gerard Nassar."
On September 15, 2021, you testified that you would provide the Committee with full,
written explanations of changes in the FBI's policies following the recommendations from the
Inspector General's Office. It is imperative that Congress is fully aware of the steps the FBI is
taking to ensure that we may provide the Bureau with adequate resources, and ensure that these
mistakes are never repeated.
The FBI's failures to protect the athletes harmed by Larry Nassar are inexcusable. As
you stated at the hearing, this is "not representative of the FBI." Now is the opportunity for the
Bureau to begin to right the wrongs that came to light in this report. For Congress to engage in
the appropriate legislative and oversight activity needed to protect all survivors, please provide
the following information:
1. Policies and documents that delineate the organizational structure and description of
responsibilities for responding to allegations of sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual
harassment, or other sexual impropriety or misconduct, and the type of approval
required when conducting investigative activities into such allegations.
2. Policies and documents that delineate the required documentation when transfers are
conducted between field offices or other government entities, such as U.S. Attorney's
Offices, state or local law enforcement, or other federal law enforcement agencies.
3. The current policies, procedures, and guidance for when a Child/Adolescent Forensic
Interviewer (CAFI) should be present during an interview with a child or adolescent
alleging abuse, including a description of when a CAFI shall be present during preassessment activities.
4. The current policies, procedures, guidance, and training to ensure FBI employees are
contacting applicable state and local law enforcement when crimes against children
are reported, regardless of whether the allegations fall within state or federal
jurisdiction.
5. The current policies and procedures for when a telephonic interview of an alleged
child abuse victim, or adult who alleges they experienced abuse as a child, shall be
conducted.
6. Policies and documents that delineate the training for FBI employees regarding the
changes that have been made to the policies, procedures, rules, regulations, guidance,
and review protocols used by the FBI in responding to child abuse allegations.
a. Please indicate the timeline in which this training will be completed by the
majority of FBI personnel and how often the training will be provided.
7. Policies and documents that delineate any changes in policies, procedures, or
guidance for pre-assessment activities related to child abuse allegations, including
document retention, duration of such assessments, and procedures if pre-assessment
activities prolong the permitted duration of such assessments.
8. Policies and documents that delineate how the FBI will ensure accountability
amongst employees should any of these policies be violated.
Please provide this information no later than December 10, 2021.
The Inspector General's report documented disturbing and disappointing inaction that led
to the continued abuse of dozens of young athletes. The FBI has a responsibility to ensure that
every alleged child abuse victim with whom the Bureau interacts is protected against further
harms and to hold those committing these heinous acts accountable. The Judiciary Committee's
September 15th hearing was the first step toward much-needed reform within the Bureau, and we
look forward to working with the FBI to implement these changes.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,

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