US. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

 

 

Washington, D. C. 20535-000!

May 9. 2017

The Honorable Charles E. Grassley
Chairman

Committee on the Judiciary

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Mr. Chairman:

Director Contcy appeared before your Committee on May 3. 2017. and answered several
questions regarding the review ofe-mails found on a laptop computer belonging to former
Congressman Anthony Weiner. This letter is intended to supplement that testimony to ensure
that the Committee has the full context ot?what was reviewed and found on the laptop. This
letter further seeks to clarify reporting concerning the Director's testimony concerning certain
counterterrorism investigations.

[Director Comey spoke of hundreds and thousands ofc-mails being forwarded from Ms.
Abedin to Mr. Weincr?s laptop computer. This included e-mails transferred via backups as well
as manual forwarding. Our investigation determined that Ms. Abedin commonly forwarded
emails to others who would print documents for her. Although we do not know the exact
numbers. based on its investigation. the FBI believes it is reasonable to conclude that most ofthe
emails found on Mr. Weiner?s laptop computer related to the Clinton investigation occurred as a
result ofa backup ofpersonal electronic devices. with a small number a result of manual
forwarding by Ms. Abedin to Mr. Weincr. Investigators identified approximately 49.000 evmaiis
which were potentially relevant to the investigation. All were reviewed with a particular focus
on those containing classi?ed information. Investigators ultimately determined that two e-mail
chains containing classi?ed were manually forwarded to Mr. Weincr?s account. Ten
additional chains containing classi?ed information also were found on the laptop computer as a
result of backup activity. All twelve chains previously had been reviewed by investigators.

In addition. the Director?s testimony concerning the number of 
investigations involving refugees appears to have been misinterpreted. During his testimony.
Director Comey stated the FBI has approximately 1.000 investigations of suspected homegrown
violent extremists (I IVE) and another 1.000 investigations of individuals who are suspected of
connections to ISIS. These 2.000 investigations are a subset ofthe I?Bl's total number of
investigations. which is classified. and which involve subjects from a variety of
terrorist groups.

The Honorable Charles E. Grassley

The FBI has approximately 300 open eounterterrorisrn investigations ofsubjects who
entered the U.S. as refugees. These 300 investigations are a subset of the 1331?s total number of
investigations. The 300 subjects come front approximately 25 different
countries.

We appreciate the Committee?s continued support of the FBI and its mission.

Sincerely,

Gregory A. Brewer
Assistant Director
Office Affairs

1 - The Honorable Dianne l?einstein
Ranking Member
Committee on the Judiciary
United States Senate
Washington. DC 20510