WASHINGTON — The Justice Department inspector general referred his finding that former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe repeatedly misled investigators to the top federal prosecutor in Washington to determine whether McCabe should be charged with a crime, according to people familiar with the matter.
The referral to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia occurred some time ago, after the inspector general concluded McCabe had lied to investigators or his boss, then-FBI Director James Comey, on four occasions, three of them under oath.
The U.S. attorney’s office met with McCabe’s legal team in recent weeks, though it was not immediately clear whether prosecutors there were conducting their own investigation or believed criminal charges are appropriate.
The referral raises the possibility that McCabe could be charged and jailed for his alleged misconduct — perhaps with Comey testifying against him. A referral to federal prosecutors, though, does not necessarily mean McCabe will be charged.
