Warden ousted as FBI again searches federal women’s prison in California
The warden of a troubled federal women’s prison in California has been ousted months into his tenure as FBI agents on Monday hauled boxes of evidence from the facility in an apparent escalation of a yearslong investigation that put a former warden and other employees behind bars for sexually abusing inmates.
The federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed the leadership shakeup at FCI Dublin, saying in a statement that “recent developments have necessitated new executive employees be installed at the institution.” The agency wouldn’t specify what the developments were and declined to comment on the FBI search.
Deputy Regional Director N.T. McKinney will replace the ousted warden, Art Dulgov, on an interim basis effective immediately, Bureau of Prisons spokesperson Randilee Giamusso said. Mr. McKinney is at least the fourth person to be put in charge of FCI Dublin since former warden Ray Garcia was placed on administrative raided his leave office after and the vehicle FBI in July 2021.
An associate warden and a prison captain working under Mr. Dulgov were also removed from their positions, a person familiar with the matter told the Associated Press. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and did so on the condition of anonymity.
A message seeking comment was left with Mr. Dulgov.
More than a dozen FBI agents searched FCI Dublin on Monday, seizing computers, documents and other evidence, the person said. Agents in blue FBI windbreakers could be seen carrying boxes out of the prison. The low-security facility about 21 miles east of Oakland has been known as the “rape club” because of years of rampant staff-on-inmate abuse.
FBI spokesperson Cameron Polan confirmed that agents were there conducting “court-authorized law enforcement activity,” but declined to give details.
Monday’s search came days after a new wave of civil lawsuits alleging abuse at FCI Dublin and as a federal judge weighs appointing a special master to oversee the prison’s operations.
An AP investigation in 2021 found a culture of abuse and cover-ups that had persisted for years at the prison, which currently has more than 650 inmates. That reporting led to increased scrutiny from Congress and pledges from the Bureau of Prisons that it would fix problems and change the culture at the prison.
Last August, eight FCI Dublin inmates sued the Bureau of Prisons, alleging the agency had failed to keep its promise to root out sexual abuse and protect the safety of those in its custody. Amaris Montes, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said inmates who reported abuse continued to face retaliation, including being put in solitary confinement and having all their belongings confiscated.
Since 2021, at least eight FCI Dublin employees have been charged with sexually abusing inmates. Five have pleaded guilty. Two were convicted at trial. Another case is pending.
All sexual activity between a prison worker and an inmate is illegal.