FBI probes inspector of Iraq rebuilding

The FBI is investigating the special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction, Justice Department officials said Thursday, following allegations of misconduct from former employees.

The investigation of Stuart W. Bowen Jr. involves possible electronic tampering, including alleged efforts to go through e-mails of office employees, said two officials close to the inquiry. It is being handled by the FBI’s Washington field office, according to law enforcement officials, who like the first officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the investigation.

According to one of the officials close to the investigation, the FBI is looking into several instances of possible fraud and abuse and has interviewed a number of former and current employees. A grand jury has been impaneled and has issued subpoenas for documents.

The official said that in addition to the allegations involving Bowen accessing employee e-mails, the FBI is also looking into whether Bowen and his deputy, Ginger Cruz, inappropriately used taxpayer funds to pay their legal expenses associated with an administrative investigation that began in 2006.

In addition, the FBI probe may also review whether Bowen misled investigators about the cost of an expensive book project about the special inspector general’s activities in Iraq, which is being put together by his office.

A spokeswoman for the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction said nobody in the office had been notified of any FBI investigation.