An FBI assistant director violated the bureau's policies by failing to disclose her relationship with a junior staff member and letting it 'disrupt the workplace', according to a damning report issued by the Justice Department watchdog.
Jill C. Tyson, who has been the assistant director of the Office of Congressional Affairs since February 2019 and is said to have a close working relationship with FBI Director Chris Wray, was also involved in a hiring decision for the subordinate.
Tyson was only identified as an assistant director in the report but multiple sources named her as the report's subject to the Washington Post.
The identity of the junior staffer has not been revealed but sources said they were transferred to a different role in the FBI after their relationship came to light.
Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz released the report Thursday - one week after the FBI also came under fire over its handling of sexual abuse allegations against former USA Gymnastics national team doctor Larry Nassar.
An FBI assistant director Jill C. Tyson (pictured) violated the bureau's policies by failing to disclose her relationship with a junior staff member and letting it 'disrupt the workplace', according to a damning report issued by the Justice Department watchdog
The investigation into Tyson began over a year ago when the DOJ inspector general received information from the FBI's inspection division alleging the senior official was having an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate.
The probe found that she was 'engaged in a romantic relationship with a subordinate and failed to timely report the relationship.'
Horowitz said this was a violation of policy and amounted to misconduct.
Tyson also violated policies by allowing the relationship to impact the work environment, he found.
She 'allowed the relationship to negatively affect an appropriate and professional superior-subordinate relationship and to disrupt the workplace by interfering with the ability of other FBI employees to complete their work,' the report said.
Tyson also 'participated in a hiring or organizational decision involving the subordinate, all in violation of FBI policy.'
There is no suggestion Tyson harassed or mistreated the junior staffer and it is unclear if the pair are still in a relationship.
The findings have been handed to the FBI and DOJ's Office of Professional Responsibility for appropriate action which will now decide what action - if any - to take.
Tyson has been the assistant director of the Office of Congressional Affairs since February 2019 and is said to have a close working relationship with FBI Director Chris Wray (pictured during a Senate
