Media Report Indicates Illegal Activity, Abuse of Law Enforcement Privileges
WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–February 20, 2014. U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-Ill.-02) yesterday sent a letter to Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Mike Horowitz requesting a review of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and DOJ Civil Rights Division investigations of Harvey Mayor Eric Kellogg and the Harvey Police Department.
A recent series of Chicago Tribune reports uncovered apparent misconduct by the Harvey Police Department and the city’s mayor. These reports raised concerns about the appropriateness of tactics used by federal agents and the effectiveness of the DOJ in addressing the alleged police abuses in Harvey.
A copy of the letter can be seen below:
February 18, 2014
Dear Inspector General Horowitz:
We write to request a review of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division investigations of the police department in the City of Harvey, Illinois and Eric Kellogg, Harvey’s mayor.
Recent media reports have highlighted concerns with the appropriateness of the tactics used by federal agents and effectiveness of the Department of Justice in addressing alleged police abuses in Harvey.
According to a Feb. 11, 2014 Chicago Tribune report (“State, feds turned blind eye to problems in Harvey”) an undercover FBI agent using the name “Carlos Vargas” was investigating local elected officials and police officers while serving as the manager of the Skybox strip club in Harvey. In 2007 Vargas established the Harvey Good Government Group in conjunction with that year’s mayoral election. According to the Chicago Tribune, Vargas raised for the committee more than $140,000, which was spent on political activities that aided the re-election of Mayor Kellogg.
The FBI has stated taxpayer dollars were not used to fund the activities of the Harvey Good Government Group, but the news reports indicate the FBI’s undercover agent was responsible for establishing the committee and raising money to benefit a public official. The use of federal resources to influence elections in communities where criminal investigations are ongoing warrants special scrutiny. This matter deserves your attention.
Additionally, we request a review of the Civil Rights Division’s investigation of police brutality within the Harvey Police Department. According to the Chicago Tribune, the Civil Rights Division conducted an investigation of the Harvey Police Department from December 2008 to January 2012, but failed to establish an independent monitor of the police department following division’s review. Instead, the division simply issued a series of recommendations to the City of Harvey.
Harvey’s citizens – like all citizens – must be confident in the honesty and trustworthiness of their government officials and law enforcement. The U.S. Department of Justice plays an invaluable role in rooting out corruption in state and local governments and has a well-established history with the City of Harvey.
I request that your office review the facts regarding the investigations in the City of Harvey to ensure all activities were in the best interest of the people of Harvey and the taxpayers of Illinois.
Please do not hesitate to contact my office should you require any additional information.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Source: kirk.senate.gov
