DOJ Audit Reveals FBI Failures in Child Abuse Cases

A recent audit by the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General revealed significant failures by the FBI in handling child sex abuse cases between October 2021 and February 2023. Out of 3,925 cases reviewed, 42 incidents, or 13%, were flagged for further action due to a lack of appropriate investigative measures, with one case involving a registered sex offender going unaddressed for over a year. The report highlighted that nearly half of the cases did not comply with mandatory reporting requirements to inform local authorities. Lawmakers criticized the FBI for failing to implement effective changes following the Nassar case, with Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin asserting that new policies are being ignored. FBI officials attributed the shortcomings to documentation deficiencies and budget constraints. The audit underscores a troubling trend of systemic issues within the FBI's response to child sexual abuse allegations.