Shirking, lying agent fired: FBI

The FBI has fired an agent who was accused of failing to properly investigate USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar — and then allegedly lied when confronted about his inaction.

Michael Langeman, a supervisory special agent in the FBI’s Indianapolis office who interviewed Olympic medalist McKayla Maroney in 2015, was let go two weeks ago, ahead of Wednesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, where more of the country’s top female gymnasts accused the bureau of failing them.

FBI Director Christopher Wray testified during the hearing that Langeman had been fired in the wake of an internal probe by the Justice Department that found the FBI made fundamental errors in the Nassar investigation.

Langeman and his former boss, special agent-in-charge Jay Abbott, were both criticized in the DOJ’s July report by Inspector General Michael Horowitz for their handling of the case. They were both accused of lying to inspector-general investigators when confronted about their inaction in the probe.

The FBI director said Abbott retired before the report was submitted. Questioned by lawmakers, Wray confirmed Abbott’s resignation was not forced and said he was “frustrated” he hadn’t been able to discipline him and that he was unable to answer why the Justice Department hadn’t criminally prosecuted the two agents.