In a contentious competition that drew allegations of conflict of interest, the Biden administration's decision to choose a site for the new FBI headquarters is now under investigation by the federal watchdog. The Inspector General for the General Services Administration (GSA) has launched a probe into the selection process, focusing on the decision to build the facility in Greenbelt, Maryland, rather than in Virginia. Virginia lawmakers released a letter on Thursday, revealing the investigation.

The GSA defended its choice, citing lower costs and easy access to transit as the primary reasons for selecting the Greenbelt site. However, lawmakers from Virginia disputed the decision, pointing to "overwhelming evidence" of political influence in the process. In a joint statement, Virginia's senators and representatives called on the GSA to pause any relocation activities until the review is complete.

The consideration for a new FBI headquarters has been a topic of discussion for over a decade, with both Virginia and Maryland competing fiercely to secure the project. When the announcement was made earlier this month, selecting Maryland, it sparked sharp criticism from Virginia officials.

Maryland lawmakers defended the decision, asserting that their state had the best location for the new headquarters and emphasized their commitment to moving the project forward. They maintained that the GSA had gone through a thorough and transparent process in making the selection.

To address the concerns raised, the acting Inspector General stated in a letter to Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia that an evaluation of the agency's selection process and procedures would commence immediately. The GSA welcomed this review and highlighted its release of decision-making materials and a legal review of Director Christopher Wray's concerns.

Director Wray had expressed his worries in an internal message to staff, mentioning a potential conflict of interest concerning a GSA executive who had selected a site owned by a previous employer, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. However, the GSA denied any conflict, stating that the Greenbelt site presented advantages such as lower costs, improved transit access, and a shorter construction timeline.

As the inspector general's investigation begins, both sides remain firm in their positions. Virginia's delegation expressed support for the swift and thorough review, while Maryland lawmakers voiced confidence in the GSA's selection process and urged the project to continue uninterrupted.

The outcome of the investigation will shed light on the fairness and integrity of the site selection for the new FBI headquarters, ultimately determining whether the allegations of conflict of interest hold merit and if the GSA's decision will withstand scrutiny.