Justice Department probes its own role in spying program
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-16 10:41

The Justice Department has begun an internal inquiry into the conduct of its lawyers who examined the Bush administration's domestic eavesdropping program, the department has disclosed.

The investigation is being conducted by the Office of Professional Responsibility, or OPR, which reviews allegations of misconduct within the law enforcement agency.

American Bar Association President Michael Greco addresses the midyear conference of the nation's largest lawyers group Friday, Feb. 10, 2006, in Chicago. Greco was to discusses the National Security Agency's controversial domestic surveillance program and releases a report by an ABA task force that examines whether the eavesdropping program was legal. [AP]

Marshall Jarrett, the office's counsel, acknowledged the investigation in a letter to Rep. Maurice Hinchey. Jarrett's letter did not specify which of the agency's actions or employees are being examined.

"You asked this office to investigate the Department of Justice's role in authorizing, approving and auditing certain surveillance activities of the National Security Agency, and whether such activities are permissible under existing law. For your information, we have initiated an investigation," Jarrett wrote.

Hinchey is one of a few dozen Democratic lawmakers who have been highly critical of the eavesdropping program first revealed in December.

"We're very happy that the OPR is doing it, because it seems on the surface certain illegal actions may have taken place," Hinchey, one of Congress' most outspoken critics of President George W. Bush, said Wednesday.