patrick.net

Are we approaching peak wingnut? Will Comey, haven previously broken precedent by overstepping the bounds of editorializing on the subject of investigation, be purged from the FBI?

The Office of Special Counsel (OSC), an independent federal investigative agency, cited longstanding policy in neither confirming nor denying any the existence of investigation into Comey for violating the Hatch Act, a law designed to prevent federal officeholders from abusing their power to influence an election.

But on Saturday, Richard Painter, a former ethics lawyer in George W Bush’s White House, filed an official complaint against Comey with the office, and then disclosed it in an op-ed.

“In general, OSC opens a case after receiving a complaint,” said spokesman Nick Schwellenbach, who would not comment specifically on Comey.

Such investigations can take anywhere from days to months, depending on the complexity of the circumstances.