Lead prosecutor on probe into ex-CIA Director John Brennan is removed from case, sources say
CBS News • • general
Key Points:
- Maria Medetis Long, the lead federal prosecutor in Miami overseeing the criminal investigation into whether former CIA Director John Brennan lied to Congress, has been removed from the case without a public explanation.
- Sources indicate her removal followed her assessment that there was insufficient evidence to pursue charges against Brennan, amid Justice Department efforts to accelerate the investigation.
- Chris DeLorenz, a former law clerk for Judge Aileen Cannon and recent appointee as assistant U.S. attorney in Miami, has been assigned to the case.
- The probe originated from a Republican-led House Judiciary Committee referral alleging Brennan lied about the CIA's use of the Steele dossier in the 2016 Russia election interference assessment.
- The Justice Department is also investigating related referrals, including claims by former DNI Tulsi Gabbard about the intelligence assessment, while separately reviewing documents tied to former special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into President Trump.
