The New York Times reporter Matt Apuzzo said on Monday that “lack of candor” is the “kiss of death” at the FBI, referring to the firing of former deputy director Andrew McCabe.
WATCH:
In an upcoming Inspector General report, McCabe is reportedly accused of lack of candor — informally, lying to the FBI — during the IG’s review of the FBI’s Clinton investigation. (RELATED: FBI’s Andrew McCabe Fired Just Two Days Before Official Retirement)
McCabe claims that his firing was part of a smear campaign by President Donald Trump to discredit him and the Mueller investigation, but Apuzzo argued that the contents of the IG report could show his firing to be justified and apolitical.
“Obviously, the IG has been investigating a whole range of issues related to the FBI’s activities during the 2016 campaign,” Apuzzo said on MSNBC. “You know, we hope we’re going to see the McCabe report soon because frankly… the allegations that the attorney general has lobbed here are incredibly serious.”
Apuzzo explained that lack of candor is the “kiss of death” at the FBI.
“Lose your gun, drive drunk, beat your spouse and you’ll be disciplined but you could keep your job,” he continued. “Lack of candor, there’s no coming back from that.”