In the latest cases, the inspector general's report determined that within certain departments, a culture of "nepotism, ethical lapses and misleading statements was the result of bad behavior by individuals insufficiently impressed with the principles of fair and open" job hiring competition.
According to Horowitz's report, eight current or former Justice officials, all senior-level employees, "violated applicable statutes and regulations" in seeking jobs for relatives. Since May 2008, the report said, many were actually hired, including five daughters, three sons, a cousin, a nephew, a niece and two granddaughters.
In addition, another daughter was offered a summer clerkship but she later turned it down, and separate attempts were made to find a job for an employee's brother.
The investigation was launched after a September 2010 complaint from Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.) of hiring improprieties at the Department of Justice. "I expect the employees involved in this nepotism ring to be punished under the full extent of the law," he said Thursday. "Nepotism has no place in any federal agency, and it is especially disturbing coming from the Department of Justice."
