SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) -
The Federal Bureau of Investigation told WTOC Friday that they are involved and assisting in the Savannah-Chatham Metro Police Department reporting issues investigation.
The city sent out a statement of their own Friday to clarify what's really happening.
Interim city manager Stephanie Cutter wanted to make two things clear, according to PIO Bret Bell. The FBI is involved but not investigating the police department, as other media outlets reported. The FBI is assisting in an audit of complaints police Internal Affairs already reviewed.
The Internal Affairs review and reports found no wrongdoing.
Despite a memo Cutter sent out to city council and WTOC Thursday afternoon, stating she instructed Chief Lovett to contact the FBI, Bell says the city manager's decision to call in the FBI was a mutual decision with Chief Willie Lovett.
As WTOC reported Thursday, no wrong doing was found in the internal affairs investigation, but the city and chief want the FBI to take a look and audit the 14 complaints received by the chief and city hall about falsified reports and other crime report issues to make sure the public knows an outside agency also reviewed the case.
Aldermen Van Johnson and Tony Thomas, who raised these concerns from residents at a retreat in January, agreed the FBI being called in would help clear the air and let the public and council know the city did not just investigate itself.
The FBI sent WTOC this statement Friday afternoon:
"The FBI, as a matter of routine and on a regular basis, receives referrals or requests from other outside agencies or organizations containing allegations of possible violations of federal law. The FBI, again as a matter of routine, will make a preliminary review and, if deemed necessary, forward its findings to the U.S. Attorney's office for any further action. The FBI would not be able to comment regarding any such referrals or reviews," said Stephen Emmett, FBI Atlanta Field Office spokesman, in a press release.
No time table has been given on the investigation, nor if the investigation has already begun.
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Savannah City Manager Stephanie Cutter
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