Overview
- The U.S. attorney’s office in Washington is examining whether the Qatar-paid travel violated federal bribery or campaign finance laws, according to The Washington Post.
- The investigation has reportedly been underway for months and only became public through media coverage on Thursday.
- The Post reports the probe has been complicated by internal Justice Department turmoil, including the firing of the FBI agent who had been leading the case.
- Bowser’s office says the travel was routine economic-development work with required documentation and says it has not received formal notice of any investigation.
- Local reporting previously found Qatar covered about $61,930 in 2023 flights for Bowser and four staff members to Doha, with a subsequent stop in Dubai.