Feds drop lobbying probe of retired general, lawyer says

Feds drop lobbying probe of retired general, lawyer says

FILE - Marine Gen. John Allen, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 20, 2012. The Justice Department has dropped its probe of Allen, a retired four-star general, for his role in an alleged illegal foreign lobbying campaign on behalf of the wealthy Persian Gulf nation of Qatar, according to a statement provided by his attorney on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has dropped its probe of retired four-star Gen. John Allen for his role in an alleged illegal foreign lobbying campaign on behalf of the wealthy Persian Gulf nation of Qatar, his lawyer told The Associated Press.

Attorney David Schertler said in a statement Tuesday that the Justice Department had informed him that it was closing its investigation of Allen and no charges would be filed. The Justice Department declined to comment but a law enforcement official familiar with the inquiry who wasn't authorized to speak publicly confirmed the decision on condition of anonymity.