Legal scholar Jonathan Turley said there are "rumors" about secret materials obtained by U.S. Attorney John Durham.

The George Washington University law professor addressed the criminal inquiry into the Russia investigation in an op-ed for the Hill on Thursday about what President-elect Joe Biden might do with politically charged investigations.

Turley said there are "some rumors that Durham holds material undisclosed by the special counsel or the inspector general," referring to Justice Department watchdog Michael Horowitz, with whom Durham disagreed in the determination that the opening of the Trump-Russia investigation was justified, and former special counsel Robert Mueller, who found no criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Turley also referred to a report last month that said Durham is working with a federal grand jury to investigate debunked allegations about Alfa Bank.

Durham was appointed by Attorney General William Barr more than a year and a half ago to investigate misconduct by federal law enforcement, intelligence officials, and others related to the FBI's inquiry into links between President Trump's campaign and Russia. So far, the prosecutor has secured one guilty plea from a former FBI lawyer.

Trump and his allies hope Durham will uncover evidence that there was a "coup" to undermine his campaign and administration but got frustrated last month when it became clear there would not be any major indictments or a report before the election. Democrats and national security veterans have criticized the DOJ inquiry as a politicized weapon against the president's political adversaries.

Turley, who has been celebrated by the Right ever since being a witness called by the Republicans during the House impeachment investigation into Trump, wrote that Biden's awareness of investigations into Trump allies, including former national security adviser Michael Flynn, would be one reason for him to try and close Durham's inquiry. Turley also noted that it "could be easier" for Biden to shut down any investigation related to his son, Hunter.

Any pressure on prosecutors to stop their investigative work, Turley wrote, "may force the issue on the need for a new special counsel if criminal conduct is further revealed by indictments or filings."

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/john-turley-rumor-has-it-john-durham-has-material-undisclosed-by-special-counsel-or-doj-watchdog