Retired FBI agent Frank Montoya speaks about Clinton investigation

Frank Montoya retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation in September after 26 years of service. He served in numerous positions and was the special agent in charge of the Seattle field office. Montoya worked closely with FBI director James Comey, who announced Friday that the agency was investigating more evidence regarding Hillary Clinton’s email server.

Montoya agreed to speak with EastIdahoNews.com reporter Nate Eaton about the investigation.

NATE EATON, EASTIDAHONEWS.COM: When news broke Friday that the FBI was looking at more emails from Hillary Clinton, what was your reaction?

FRANK MONTOYA, RETIRED FBI AGENT: It was typical James Comey. This is a situation where he told Congress in July that if any additional information were to become available, he would let them know. This was one of those situations where he was living up to his word.

He understands the political nature of the world that we live in when it comes to these kinds of investigations. But we’re talking about a man of the utmost integrity and, frankly, a man who is incorruptible. He’s doing what he believes is right. And it’s not to protect Jim Comey – it’s about doing what’s right.

EATON: Several reports indicate there’s been some fighting internally at the FBI over Comey’s decision to re-open the investigation. What have you heard from your counterparts?

MONTOYA: Unequivocally there is no revolt, as Republican nominee Donald Trump has stated several times since the news came out on Friday. There is not any internal revolt within the FBI over whether there were charges or no charges or whether this information should have been released or not released.

Keep in mind there are about 30,000 employees in the FBI and about 12-13,000 are agents spread across 56 field offices around the country and various places around the world. Frankly, in terms of priorities, we’re much more concerned about what’s happening on a day to day basis on our criminal investigations or national security investigations around the country.

The discussions about internal strife over whether she was charged or not charged, over whether he should have put out this information on Friday or not – those occur in the natural progression of discussion over what we’re supposed to be doing but in the end, everybody agrees this is the right thing and we should move forward.

EATON: It sounds like you’re saying there weren’t any political motivations for Comey to do this 11 days before the election.