Individuals, groups, and organizations occasionally send letters requesting that a person or entity be investigated for violations of law. Sometimes, the requestor then publicizes the request.

Receipt of a request to open an investigation may be publicly acknowledged, but care should be taken to avoid implying that the referral will lead to an investigation. There is a distinction between reviewing a request and opening an investigation.

Any acknowledgment, which must be approved by the appropriate United States Attorney or Assistant Attorney General, should state that such requests are referred to the proper investigative agency for review, that all allegations are reviewed in light of the Principles of Federal Prosecution (see JM 9-27.000), and that DOJ ordinarily does not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation.

The same considerations apply if there is an investigation already underway.

[updated April 2018]