US State Department to reopen probe into Clinton emails

The US State Department announced that it was reopening its investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of several private e-mail servers for official business during her tenure as secretary of state from 2009-2013.

The State Department's announcement on Thursday night was expected, as the department had suspended its probe while it was waiting for the Justice Department to complete its criminal investigation, CNN reported.

The State Department will now focus on whether current employees involved in handling or sending and receiving Clinton's emails should get disciplinary action, which could range from a reprimand to losing their security clearance.

Former employees found to be mishandling classified information could also have notes put in their file that could also have consequences if they seek future employment with the government and need security clearance.

"Given the Department of Justice has now made its announcement, the State Department intends to conduct its internal review," State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.

"I cannot provide specific information about the department's review... We will aim to be as expeditious as possible, but we will not put artificial deadlines on the process. Our goal will be to be as transparent as possible about our results, while complying with our various legal obligations."

Earlier this week, FBI Director James Comey recommended that no criminal charges be brought in the case, a finding that the Justice Department accepted on Wednesday.

Comey was the subject of a lengthy grilling on Capitol Hill on Thursday as he fielded questions from Republicans about the investigation, with House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz saying he would ask the FBI to probe whether Clinton lied to Congress about her email arrangements.

Judicial proceedings in the case were officially ended on Wednesday after Attorney General Loretta Lynch confirmed that the Justice Department would not file charges against the former first lady as per the FBI's recommendation.

--IANS

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