By Steve Neavling
Ticklethewire.com
A senior FBI official violated federal regulations by accepting two tickets to professional sports events from a reporter without paying for them, the bureau’s Inspector General reported Tuesday.
The senior official, whose identity was not revealed, initially said under oath that he had paid for the tickets from a television correspondent. But five days later, the officials recanted and said the tickets were not paid for.
The inspector general found that the FBI official also accepted free tickets from another reporter.
During the investigation, the official retired, and prosecutors won’t pursue a criminal case.
Both reporters often covered the FBI and Justice Department.
Federal employees are barred from accepting gifts from sources.
