A partially redacted FBI email chain discusses the planned closure of a Detroit voter-registration investigation and an agent’s concerns about the limited investigative scope.
An FBI Detroit agent said the investigation was being prepared for closure and sought to discuss the limited scope that the Public Integrity Section had approved before that occurred.
“We are preparing to close the investigation. Before we do so, I was hoping to discuss with you the limited scope that PIN approved into the investigation of the fraudulent voter registration applications.”
The agent said a review of the Justice Department’s election-offenses guidance led them to believe that the alleged conduct would ordinarily warrant a full field investigation; this was the agent’s interpretation, not a stated final finding.
“it appears as though this type of fraud would result in a full field investigation.”
The agent asserted that canvassers submitted fraudulent voter-registration applications but acknowledged that proving willfulness would be difficult. The agent wanted the concern considered before closure and sought the reasoning for declining a full investigation.
“they still submitted fraudulent voter registration applications. I understand that proving this was done “willfully” would still be difficult”
“I wanted to raise my concerns before closing the case and was hoping to better understand the reasoning behind not approving a full investigation.”