'Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General (IG) Michael E. Horowitz wants Congress to upgrade his authority to include investigating allegations of professional misconduct against government lawyers involved in litigation, providing legal advice, and official investigations.

“While the IG has jurisdiction to review alleged misconduct by non-lawyers in the department, it does not have jurisdiction over alleged misconduct committed by department attorneys, including federal prosecutors, when they act in their capacity as lawyers, namely, when they are litigating, investigating, or providing legal advice,” Horowitz told members of the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies during a March 23 hearing.

Instead of the IG, the DOJ’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is responsible for assessing such allegations.

“As a result, these types of misconduct allegations against department lawyers, including any that may be made against the most senior department lawyers (including those in departmental leadership positions), are handled differently than those made against agents or other department employees,” Horowitz testified.'

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