A senior Justice Department official sexually assaulted a female subordinate, sexually harassed three others, lied about it, but was not prosecuted, according to a Tuesday report from the department’s watchdog.
An investigation led by the Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General found a senior official in the department’s Office of Justice Programs “abused his authority by coercing female employees in his chain of command to have sex with him.”
The investigation concluded the unnamed official sexually harassed one subordinate by making repeated advances and ultimately sexually assaulting her; pressing another into a sexual relationship in exchange for a promotion, and sexually harassing two other subordinates by engaging in sexually inappropriate conduct with them.
Furthermore, the official lied to OIG investigators probing the harassment claims.
Although Justice Department Inspector Michael Horowitz concluded the official’s actions violated federal law, criminal prosecution was declined and the official retired from his position, the report said.
It is not known why criminal charges were not pursued. Requests for comment to the Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia — where the Office of Justice Programs unit is based — were not immediately returned.
During the time the official was engaged in a long-term sexual relationship with a subordinate, he also approved her performance evaluations and promotions, a violation of federal law. Mr. Horowitz said the official did not disclose the relationship to his supervisors.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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