Scaramucci’s claim of having “digital fingerprints on everything they’ve done through the F.B.I. and the fucking Department of Justice,” points to possibly improper contact with DOJ officials; watchdog asks DOJ IG to investigate

Washington, DC – Non-partisan ethics watchdog American Oversight today submitted a letter to Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Michael Horowitz calling on him to investigate inappropriate contact between White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci and components of the DOJ including the FBI.

“During his profane rant to a reporter on Wednesday evening, Mr. Scaramucci didn’t just reveal that he lacks the temperament for public service, he also openly admitted to highly inappropriate contact with the Department of Justice that recalls the worst days of using the FBI to compile dossiers on political opponents,” said American Oversight Executive Director Austin Evers. “By bragging about using his connections at the FBI to investigate White House leakers, Scaramucci is showing us yet again that this administration has zero respect for the rule of law or the importance of independent law enforcement.”

During an interview with Ryan Lizza of the New Yorker, Scaramucci repeatedly invoked his connections to federal law enforcement officials and cited them as a tool that he has used against leakers and political enemies, including White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus. At one point, Scaramucci claimed, “I’ve got digital fingerprints on everything they’ve done through the F.B.I. and the fucking Department of Justice.” Scaramucci later claimed, in a now-deleted tweet, that “In light of the leak of my financial info which is a felony. I will be contacting @FBI and the @TheJusticeDept #swamp @Reince45.”

“Longstanding policies place strict limits on contacts between the White House and law enforcement, and it’s never appropriate for someone in Mr. Scaramucci’s position to recruit agents as part of an internal power struggle,” Evers continued.

American Oversight’s letter asks DOJ Inspector General Horowitz to use his authority to launch an investigation into whether Scaramucci has used contacts within the DOJ to collect information on political enemies, and whether his actions have violated protocols governing contact with the White House. The letter is copied to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees as well as the Office of Special Counsel.

American Oversight’s letter to Inspector General Horowitz:

Letter to DOJ Inspector General regarding Scaramucci (Text)