An internal government watchdog found the FBI failed to report some allegations of child sex abuse to law enforcement agencies and is not complying with mandatory reporting requirements.
The Department of Justice’s inspector general said in a report released Thursday that it found no evidence the FBI is complying with mandatory reporting requirements in about half the cases that were inspected.
The audit of the FBI’s child sex abuse reporting process follows the probe into the agency’s handling of former Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, which resulted in $1 billion in settlements for the FBI’s gross mishandling of sexual assault allegations in 2015 and 2016, allowing him to continue preying on victims.
Nassar is serving decades in prison for assaulting female athletes at Michigan State University and for the USA team.
The Justice Department has acknowledged that it failed to act, with agents in Indianapolis and Los Angeles failing to take action on allegations against Nassar for more than a year.
The government watchdog reviewed more than 300 cases of allegations of sex crimes against children, but there was no evidence the abuse was being reported to appropriate law enforcement in 47% of the cases. Reports were only made within the 24-hour period mandated by the DOJ in 43% of cases.
“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.