US Lawmakers Seek DOJ Watchdog Probe Into Abandoned Election Fraud Inquiry

Five members of the US House of Representatives have formally requested that the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General investigate the abandonment of a federal probe into a prison-based drugs-for-votes scheme. The request, led by Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera, follows a ProPublica report alleging that prosecutors were instructed to exclude voting-related charges and halt an investigation into potential political ties with Puerto Rican Governor Jenniffer González-Colón.

In a letter dated 20 May, the lawmakers urged the inspector general to examine why election fraud charges were not pursued despite reported findings and evidence. The signatories, all Democrats, argued that credible allegations of election fraud uncovered through federal investigative work warrant serious scrutiny and a transparent explanation to maintain public confidence in democratic institutions.

The inquiry centres on a violent gang known as Group 31, or Los Tiburones, which was charged in December 2024 with drug distribution and other crimes. The indictment alleged that gang members connected with government officials to reduce prison sentences and directed inmates on who to vote for in primary and general elections. However, the charges did not include any counts related to the drugs-for-votes scheme.

Sources with knowledge of the investigation told ProPublica that prosecutors were deep into examining whether Governor González-Colón or her campaign were involved. They stated that in the days following President Donald Trump’s election in 2024, supervisors in the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico instructed prosecutors to exclude voting-related charges against inmates and prison staff. Once President Trump took office, the sources said prosecutors were told to abandon the probe into potential political ties entirely.

Governor González-Colón, a Republican and member of the pro-statehood New Progressive Party, has declined repeated requests for interviews. In a previous statement, she denied any wrongdoing, stating she has stood firmly against corruption throughout her career. She categorically rejected any attempt to link her to unlawful conduct and told local news outlets she did not believe any investigation into the matter was warranted.

Hernández Rivera initially sought a House Judiciary Committee investigation but determined that the inspector general’s office would be a more appropriate avenue for an independent review. He emphasised that the request was about following the facts and ensuring accountability, particularly given the administration’s stated priorities on election integrity and public safety.

The inspector general’s office has jurisdiction over misconduct by Justice Department employees, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration, though it does not oversee allegations of attorney misconduct unless they involve criminal behaviour. The office declined to comment on the letter. The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico stated it does not comment on open cases, though a spokesperson previously noted that charging corrupt public officials remains a top priority.