The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating Rob Malley, who until recently served as President Biden’s special envoy for Iran, over the handling of classified information, according to a source briefed on the matter within the State Department.
Malley confirmed last week that he had been placed on unpaid leave earlier this year and had his security clearance suspended.
The White House referred questions to the State Department, which declined to comment but pointed Semafor to its statement from last week confirming that Malley was on leave and that Abram Paley would serve as acting special envoy for Iran.
The FBI declined to comment. Malley did not respond to a request for comment before publication.
A senior US official, who didn’t have direct knowledge of the matter, told Semafor that for a political appointee at Malley’s level, government agencies would not suspend a clearance independently unless a law enforcement agency has an open investigation.
News outlets reported last week that he faced an internal diplomatic security investigation. The source briefed on the matter said it had been turned over to the FBI.
The details of the case, and what Malley is suspected of, are also not clear beyond that it deals with his handling of classified information. But the involvement of the FBI is significant in that it indicates there could be suspicion of criminal wrongdoing.
