◆ SpookStack

TO ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS: = It has been alleged by a prominent candidate for = “wr the Presidency of the United States that the FBl under my = & leadership operates autonomously and without preper control. “4 This charge, of course, is not true, and it denotes either a ~ contrived effort to mislead the public or a woeful lack of knowledge of our governmental system of "checks and balances, " . As most informed citizens know, there are definite limitations upon the FBI, its authority, and its operations, all of + - which I consider most essential and which the FBI has meticulously honored over the years. First of all, the FBI,as the investigative arm of the Department of Justice, is directly answerable to the Attorney General. He is promptly and fully informed on all aspects of this Bureau's activities. Our administrative and investigative operations are subject to his control, . Further, the Bureau of the Budget keeps close tabs on the FBI just as it does on other Federal agencies, and we must justify and account for every cent of our appropriations. Likewise, the Generdl Accounting Office reviews and audits our expenditures, ~ FBI operations and investigations come under close scrutiny of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. They study our requests for appropriations and know exactly where, when and how - the FBI uses its allotted funds in the discharge of its duties to serve the public. In addition, Congress exercises control over the scope Nw Le of FBI authority, With the exception of a few Presidential directives i LAG and instructions issued by the Attorney General, laws passed by: . ; Congress are the sole source for FBI authority and jurisdiction. “a % Talon _ _ Despite what may have been implied, the FBI does not Mohr ——— serve as "police, court and jury.’ When this Bureau investigates _. 7 Corpor an alleged violation of a Federal law within its jurisdiction, the facts . 7 Casper 7 callahon are presented to a United States Attorney without comment or J fae recommendation, He determines whether the matter will be prose- af es Z, cuted: . In cases brought to trial, the Federal courts and juries have i | . level Pe-teb.” a firsthand opportunity to judge if ‘BI has met its obligations Rifdy | ! | Holmes Oy.” NOTE: Enclosure to M. A. Jones to ‘bMemo, 6/5/68, re BI Law Gandy MAIL ROOM TELETYPE UNIT cement i irector’ i pe _ CBRE Ga rn eet het fede