DOJ probe of torture memo authors almost finished

The Associated Press reports that the investigation is close to its conclusion; the results will be key to the decision of whether to prosecute.

Published May 5, 2009 5:35PM (EDT)

The Associated Press is reporting that the Department of Justice is close to being finished with its probe of the DOJ attorneys who authored the torture memos produced during the Bush administration. The investigation is looking into whether former officials like Jay Bybee and John Yoo violated department standards when they wrote the memos.

The completion of the probe could be an important milestone. As I've previously reported, the Obama administration is waiting on the results to decide what, if any, action to take against Bybee, Yoo and others, and will likely proceed based on the findings. At this point, criminal prosecution seems unlikely, but professional sanctions could be in the offing.


By Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon.

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Department Of Justice Torture War Room