THE TULIA INVESTIGATION

To the Editor:

Re "Justice Goes Into Hiding," by Bob Herbert (column, Aug. 12), about the
status of a federal investigation of allegations of official misconduct
arising from an undercover drug operation during 1998 and 1999 in Tulia,
Tex.:

Upon learning of the allegations, the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights
Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation began a federal criminal
civil rights investigation into the allegations. That investigation is open
and ongoing. The Criminal Section is working expeditiously to review all of
the relevant evidence to determine whether to prosecute.

On July 2, in response to an inquiry from the president of the American Bar
Association, the Office of Intergovernmental and Public Affairs issued a
letter stating that the Justice Department's civil rights investigation into
the Tulia matter was closed. This letter was in error with respect to the
Criminal Section's investigation, which is open.

BARBARA COMSTOCK Director of Public Affairs Department of Justice
Washington