Inspector general report finds former DOJ official sexually assaulted staffer

A former senior Justice Department official allegedly sexually assaulted one woman who worked under him at the department and sexually harassed several other subordinates, according to a report from the DOJ’s inspector general released Tuesday.

The two-page report says that the inspector general’s investigation substantiated that a senior official who worked in the DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs made repeated sexual advances toward one subordinate and ultimately sexually assaulted her.

The report further stated that the official, who is not named in the report, pressured one subordinate into a sexual relationship in exchange for a promotion, and harassed two other subordinates. 

{mosads}BuzzFeed News first reported on the inspector general’s findings.

The report said that the official in question has since retired from his position, and that investigators declined to bring criminal charges.

“The Department of Justice does not tolerate sexual harassment, abuse, or assault in the workplace in any form. As the findings stated, the official accused of this conduct is no longer employed by the Department,” DOJ spokeswoman Kerri Kupec told The Hill.

“The Department is committed to cooperating with state and local authorities to ensure these matters are investigated fully and expeditiously and will take appropriate action against those who engage in this wholly unacceptable behavior.”

Roughly a year ago, the Justice Department’s inspector general found there was a “systemic” issue in how the Justice Department handles sexual harassment complaints. The watchdog said employees who are found to have acted inappropriately often don’t face proper reprimands.

Updated: 8:18 p.m.