Court documents state that Lustyik attempted to obstruct the investigation into Taylor by opening Taylor as an official FBI source in an effort to persuade the FBI, the Justice Department and the prosecutors and law enforcement agents investigating Taylor that Taylor’s usefulness as a source outweighed the government’s interest in prosecuting him.
A former FBI special agent and a conspirator pleaded guilty in the District of Utah yesterday and today to participating in a bribery scheme to obstruct a grand jury investigation in exchange for the promise of cash and multimillion dollar business contracts offered by a businessman under investigation.
Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Carlie Christensen of the District of Utah and Justice Department Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz made the announcement after the guilty pleas were accepted by U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell.
“No one is above the law, no matter what rank or badge a person might hold,” said Assistant Attorney General Caldwell. “Corruption by those entrusted to enforce the law strikes at the heart of our criminal justice system, and it will not be tolerated. This case lays bare a disgraceful attempt by a veteran FBI agent to get rich by thwarting an ongoing investigation. The Justice Department will fight corruption wherever we find it, even within the ranks of federal law enforcement.”
“These plea agreements demonstrate that Federal law enforcement officers who sell their badges for cash and frustrate the administration of justice will be held accountable for their actions,” said Inspector General Horowitz. “Department employees are held to the highest standards, and we cannot permit our criminal justice system to be stained by such bribery and corruption.”
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