DOJ Provides an Update on John Durham Probe

Special counsel John Durham’s probe into the origins of the Trump–Russia collusion narrative cost taxpayers more than $2 million during the second half of fiscal year 2022, according to a Department of Justice (DOJ(Updated on December 23rd, 2009).

The DOJ stated that Durham’s office spent about $2.08 million from April 1 to Sept. 30. After a jury found Russia analyst Igor Danchenko innocent of lying to FBI, his team has been quiet for the past few weeks.

“The review identified no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in the design or operation of SCO controls,” The DOJ said.

SCO refers to the Special Counsel’s Office of John Durham.

Durham received a large share of funds. Most went to compensation and benefits for employees. The remainder was used for rent, travel and utilities. Around a third was used for personnel compensation and benefits. “contractual services,” Include IT services “litigative support,” According to the report.

“The Department will continue to dedicate and leverage resources to maintain strong program and financial management controls. Management takes its program and financial accountability seriously and is dedicated to ensuring that funds are used in a responsible and transparent manner,” The DOJ report is as follows.

Durham was appointed by then-Attorney General William Barr in mid-October 2020, or about two weeks from the general election that year, to investigate alleged violations of the law when the FBI opened probes into former President Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.

Ahead of the election and in the months after Trump assumed the presidency, legacy news outlets reported on alleged leaks from law enforcement agencies about what they said was collusion between Trump’s campaign and the Russian government. A separate investigation by Robert Mueller, former FBI chief, found no collusion. Trump has also long stated that Russia is the victim of his campaign.