U.S. Justice Department watchdog finds failures in FBI's handling of child sex abuse cases
CTV
The FBI has failed to report some child sexual abuse allegations to local law enforcement or social service agencies even after changes prompted by its handling of the case against former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, according to a Justice Department watchdog report released Thursday.
The FBI has failed to report some child sexual abuse allegations to local law enforcement or social service agencies even after changes prompted by its handling of the case against former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, according to a Justice Department watchdog report released Thursday.
In a review brought on by the FBI's failures to promptly investigate Nassar, the inspector general found serious problems persist that run the risk of child sexual abuse allegations falling through the cracks as overworked agents juggle dozens of cases at a time. In one case, a victim was abused for 15 months after the FBI first received a tip about a registered sex offender, the report said.
"This report makes clear that the FBI is simply not doing its job when it comes to protecting our children from the monsters among us who stalk them," said John Manly, a lawyer who represents victims of Nassar. "Despite years of promises and numerous congressional hearings it's now clear that the Larry Nassar scandal could happen again today."
A senior FBI official acknowledged that the bureau has made mistakes in investigating crimes against children but said the "vast majority of work" has been handled appropriately.
"Ensuring the safety and security of children is not just a priority for the FBI; it is a solemn duty that we are committed to fulfilling with the highest standards. The FBI's efforts combating crimes against children are among the most critical and demanding undertakings we do," the FBI said in a statement.
The inquiry follows a scathing 2021 report that found that FBI's failure to take action against Nassar allowed the doctor to continue to prey on victims for months before his 2016 arrest. The FBI put in place many changes, but the inspector general says more are needed to protect children.
In a review of more than 300 cases between 2021 and 2023, the inspector general flagged 42 cases for the FBI that required "immediate attention" because there was no evidence of recent investigative steps taken or because of other concerns, according to the report.
