A government oversight body is set to conduct an inquiry into the selection process used by the Biden administration for the establishment of a new FBI headquarters. This follows a competitive process filled with allegations of bias.
The investigation by the General Services Administration’s Inspector General focuses on why Greenbelt, Maryland, was chosen over an alternative location in Virginia. This development was made public in a letter shared by Virginia’s legislators on Thursday. The proposed site would serve as a replacement for the FBI’s deteriorating main office in Washington, D.C.
Legislators from Virginia, in a collective statement, expressed concerns about potential political influences on the selection process. They urged the GSA to suspend all activities related to the move until the investigation is concluded.
This scrutiny arises in the wake of comments from FBI Director Christopher Wray, who, in a recent internal communication to staff, raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest involving a high-ranking official and a site previously affiliated with them.
The GSA, responsible for managing federal properties, refuted these conflict claims. They asserted that the choice of Greenbelt was based on its cost-effectiveness and superior public transportation links.
Both Maryland and Virginia have been actively competing for the opportunity to host the new FBI headquarters.
