Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., and 10 other Republican senators are seeking information from FBI Director Christopher Wray over a recent audit the Justice Department's Office of the Inspector General conducted on the agency's handling of child sexual abuse cases.
Schmitt's office announced in a press release Friday that the senators sent a letter to Wray outlining their concerns and asking for answers to a series of questions based on the audit's findings.
After the 2018 scandal involving Larry Nassar, the team doctor for the U.S. women's national gymnastics team who was convicted of sexually abusing hundreds of young women, the FBI promised to improve its handling of sexual abuse cases.
But the audit found the agency has been "grossly negligent" in the following areas: mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse, victim services, case transfers between field offices, and timely responses to allegations of active child sexual abuse, according to the release.
In nearly 50% of the reviewed cases, FBI employees failed to meet required reporting standards. The audit further found that only 43% of mandatory reports reviewed were made within the required 24-hour period, and a mere 17% of the reports were fully documented.
Schmitt said, "At a time of historically low trust in American institutions, the FBI continues to undermine its own credibility when it comes to safeguarding our children from predators who wish to do them harm. It is not only outrageous but unacceptable that the FBI continues to fail the victims of sexual abusers. These victims deserve justice. The FBI has questions to answer and changes to make in the coming days and months."
Schmitt and his colleagues gave Wray until Oct. 11 to respond.
Kate McManus ✉
Kate McManus is a New Jersey-based Newsmax writer who's spent more than two decades as a journalist.
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