Former U.S. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino was facing an internal investigation involving allegations of dishonesty and unprofessional conduct when he retired from the agency in March, according to newly released government records.
Emails obtained by the Chicago Tribune show that an internal watchdog contacted Bovino in early March about an "official inquiry into allegations of misconduct reported to CBP. " The records were recently published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in response to a Freedom of Information Act request.
An agency official whose name was redacted asked Bovino to confirm that he had received documents containing questions about his conduct. The initial message was sent March 2. After receiving another email on March 18, Bovino reportedly informed the agency that he planned to retire and move.
He left CBP later that month after nearly three decades with the Border Patrol and months of controversy surrounding the Trump administration's large-scale immigration enforcement operations in Chicago and Minneapolis.
The newly released correspondence indicates that one line of questioning concerned U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis' finding that Bovino had not testified credibly during a federal lawsuit over agents' treatment of protesters, journalists, and religious observers during Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago.
In a 233-page ruling issued in November, Ellis said Bovino had been evasive during three days of depositions, sometimes offering "cute" responses and at other points "outright lying."
The judge found that his account of deploying tear gas during an October confrontation in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood did not match video evidence.
Bovino initially claimed that he had been struck in the head by a rock before throwing a tear gas canister. During his deposition, however, he acknowledged that a rock had not hit him before he deployed the gas. He subsequently said a projectile had nearly struck him before admitting that account was also mistaken, according to ABC News' account of the ruling.
The internal inquiry asked Bovino whether Ellis' findings made him "Giglio impaired," a law enforcement term describing an officer whose credibility problems or record of dishonesty may have to be disclosed by prosecutors in criminal cases. The requirement stems from the Supreme Court's decision in Giglio v. United States, which requires prosecutors to disclose evidence that could undermine the credibility of a government witness.
A second part of the investigation involved allegations that Bovino made antisemitic or otherwise unprofessional remarks while overseeing immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota.
During a January conversation involving the U.S. Attorney's Office in Minneapolis, Bovino allegedly questioned why the top prosecutor could not participate in a Saturday meeting because he is an Orthodox Jew. Bovino was accused of asking, "Do Orthodox criminals also take off Saturday?" He was also questioned about an alleged reference to Jewish people as the "chosen people."
CBP acknowledged opening an inquiry in March but emphasized that doing so did not confirm any wrongdoing. The agency said it was attempting to establish the facts after a member of Congress raised concerns about reports of the remarks, according to The Associated Press.
Bovino has denied making antisemitic comments. In messages to the Tribune, he said both investigations were "drummed up after I left Minnesota" and claimed an internal review had ruled in his favor before CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott sent the matter to another office.
He also said the investigation was intended "to CAUSE me to retire."
The Department of Homeland Security told the newspaper that Bovino retired voluntarily and said it does not discuss personnel matters involving people who are no longer employed by the agency.
Since leaving government, Bovino has publicly criticized the Trump administration's immigration strategy and accused officials of withdrawing his security detail to make his position untenable. DHS rejected that allegation, saying CBP is not authorized to provide protection to retired personnel.
The documents do not show whether either internal investigation reached a final conclusion before Bovino retired.
