DoJ Tells Murkowski Preliminary Inquiry Launched Into Allen Case
After 16 Months of Senator ‘Raising Hell,’ Internal Questions Being Asked
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Professional Responsibility informed Senator Lisa Murkowski that an internal investigation regarding the Bill Allen case has been initiated in response to her November request. This action comes after nearly a year and a half of questioning by Murkowski into the DOJ’s decision-making process in the form of letters, phone calls and Senate hearing testimony.
The acting counsel for the DOJ Office of Professional Responsibility responded via letter (attached) to Senator Murkowski, writing “We have initiated a preliminary inquiry into the potential misconduct allegations you have raised, and you will be notified when our determination is complete.”
After more than a year of inquiries, Senator Murkowski contacted the DOJ in late November (letter attached), calling for an “objective, thorough and independent investigation” to determine why the federal government is declining to prosecute Bill Allen over allegations he transported Paula Roberds across state lines for immoral and exploitive purposes. Murkowski also asked two DOJ independent investigating offices to look into why the Justice Department halted the State of Alaska’s efforts to prosecute Allen for violations of Federal law.
“I want answers and Alaska deserves answers about the Department of Justice’s reasoning in not prosecuting Bill Allen,” said Murkowski. “I would have preferred that Attorney General Eric Holder initiate this process himself after our exchanges in two separate Senate Appropriations hearings, but it’s good to see action finally being taken to address inconsistencies.”
In March 2011, Murkowski questioned the Attorney General about the Allen matter when he appeared before a subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee. As he had done in the past, AG Eric Holder declined to provide specifics but firmly asserted, “If a case can be made, a case will be brought.” That statement conflicts with reports in the media from DOJ officials to the Alaska Attorney General’s office that Allen would not be prosecuted in the Roberds matter because he “had been convicted and sentenced on another crime.”
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