DOJ orders federal prosecutors to improve cooperation with local authorities

The Department of Justice is revising its policy on supporting crime victims, including urging federal prosecutors cooperate with state and local authorities when they don’t believe federal charges are possible. 

In a memo sent to federal prosecutors on Friday, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said the agency’s policies would be updated to clarify how federal authorities should engage state and local law enforcement, particularly in cases involving minors.

“Preventing violence or harm must be our top priority. Nowhere is this obligation more important than when vulnerable populations-including minors-are at risk, as their victimization ripples through families, communities, and society at large,” Monaco wrote. 

The memo comes as the DOJ and FBI face intense scrutiny over the FBI’s botched investigation into disgraced gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. The case is regarded as the largest sexual abuse scandal in sports history.

A report from the Department of Justices’ inspector general released in July revealed, among other things, that the FBI failed to notify state or local authorities of the allegations against Nassar, and “failed to take other steps to mitigate the ongoing threat posed by Nassar.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony from star U.S. gymnasts earlier this month, in which the gymnasts testified about the FBI’s poor handling of their allegations. 

When reviewing whether prosecution should be initiated, prosecutors should consider whether to discuss the matter with local authorities for further review and coordinate with such authorities as appropriate, Monaco writes.

Monaco says prosecutors should be “especially aware” of the need to cooperate with local law enforcement when declining a matter that involves an ongoing threat or relates to acts of violence or abuse against vulnerable victims, including minors. 

Monaco is scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary panel on Tuesday for a hearing on reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act.