James Rybicki, a top FBI official who was once chief of staff to James Comey and current Bureau Director Christopher Wray, has reportedly resigned.
KEY FBI MAN OUT – James Rybicki, who was chief of staff to former FBI Director James Comey and continued in the post under current Director Christopher Wray, is leaving the bureau, Fox News has learned. https://t.co/x5J5rrHhlR pic.twitter.com/8YZjxP00vn
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 23, 2018
Fox News reports:
Federal law enforcement sources told Fox News that Rybicki was not fired. His departure, they said, has “been in the works for awhile.”
“Jim Rybicki notified me last month that he will be leaving the FBI to accept an opportunity in the corporate sector,” Wray said in a statement. “While this is an exciting move for the whole Rybicki family, Jim will be dearly missed by the FBI family – and by me personally.”
Wray added: “His many years of dedication to the bureau and DOJ, his level-headed judgement and earnest professionalism, and his steady good cheer have been an asset to us all and have contributed greatly to the safety and security of our nation.”
The FBI director said he tapped attorney Zachary Harmon to replace Rybicki.
Sara Carter previously reported Rybicki was implicated in a text exchange between Peter Strzok and Lisa Page involving a potential leak to the Washington Post:
One of the text messages the congressional committees are interested in involves Strzok and Page discussing a story published in the Washington Post.
On Nov. 3, 2016, just days before the election, Page texted Strzok, and mentions a call she had with FBI Chief of Staff James Rybicki.
“Sorry Rybicki called,” Page states. “Time line article in the post is super specific and not good. Doesn’t make sense because I didn’t have specific information to give.”
Strzok, responds, “what post article?”
Page then states, “just went up. WaPo.” Page apparently was referencing an article in the Washington Post.
The departing official testified before House members in their ongoing probe into the FBI’s conduct while investigating the Hillary Clinton email scandal, reports CNN.
Rybicki was among the FBI and Justice Department officials asked by Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) to appear before investigators for a “transcribed interview.”
In addition, Rybicki played a role involved in crafting Comey’s “infamous statement that exonerated Hillary Clinton.”
15) We do know that both #Rybicki and #Priestap were both involved in the crafting of James Comey's infamous statement that exonerated Hillary Clinton.
(Note the other recipients #Strzok #McCabe #Baker and others including several names redacted)https://t.co/VoMPJXTNV2 pic.twitter.com/wntnYpA4nA— TrumpSoldier (@DaveNYviii) January 5, 2018
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