WASHINGTON – Two high ranking officials at the FBI Washington field office, who were accused of cheating on an open-book FBI test, have been temporarily assigned to headquarters.
The Office of Professional Responsibility, an internal investigative arm of the Justice Department, had recommended discipline against Keith Bryars, special agent in charge of administration at the Washington field office, and Andrew Castor, special agent in charge of the criminal division, according to those familiar with case. The two appealed that decision.
A third person, Joseph Persichini Jr., who headed the Washington field office, had also faced internal allegations that he cheated on the test, but he retired Christmas Day before the disciplinary process had run its course.
Agent Kate Schweit, a spokeswoman for the FBI’s Washington field office, would say only that “they’re on temporary assignment at FBI headquarters.”
The allegations surfaced last November that the three high ranking FBI officials may have received help on the FBI exam from an FBI lawyer, and may have some how worked together, a clear violation of agency rules.
At the center of the controversy is a test on the bureau’s guidelines for conducting investigations called the Domestic Investigation and Operations Guide (DIOG).
FBI agents and some support staff take a 16-hour training course, then take an open book exam on a computer. They are allowed to use reference materials, but must take the test and find the answers on their own. The FBI Director Robert Mueller III is even required to take the test.
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