Pubdate: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 Source: New York Times (NY) Copyright: 2002 The New York Times Company Contact: http://www.nytimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298 Author: Barbara Comstock Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/tulia.htm (Tulia, Texas) Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1490/a03.html?1136 THE TULIA INVESTIGATION To the Editor: Re "Justice Goes Into Hiding," by Bob Herbert (column, Aug. 12), about the status of a federal investigation of allegations of official misconduct arising from an undercover drug operation during 1998 and 1999 in Tulia, Tex.: Upon learning of the allegations, the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation began a federal criminal civil rights investigation into the allegations. That investigation is open and ongoing. The Criminal Section is working expeditiously to review all of the relevant evidence to determine whether to prosecute. On July 2, in response to an inquiry from the president of the American Bar Association, the Office of Intergovernmental and Public Affairs issued a letter stating that the Justice Department's civil rights investigation into the Tulia matter was closed. This letter was in error with respect to the Criminal Section's investigation, which is open. BARBARA COMSTOCK Director of Public Affairs Department of Justice Washington - --- MAP posted-by: Josh