John S. Irving
Role at the time: Partner at SECIL Law and lawyer for Rep. Andy Ogles, in an email to Ed Martin
Statement summary
In an email to Ed Martin released through a public records lawsuit, Ogles's lawyer John S. Irving sends a letter seeking an end to the Justice Department's criminal investigation of Ogles and says the campaign finance issues are more appropriately addressed by the Federal Election Commission and the House Ethics Committee.
“Please see the attached letter on behalf of our client, Rep. Andy Ogles, seeking the termination of the Department's criminal investigation into campaign finance issues that are more appropriately addressed by the FEC and the House Ethics Committee.”
American Oversight's October 22, 2026 letter asks the Justice Department's inspector general to review why the department closed its campaign finance investigation of Rep. Andy Ogles. Exhibit A is the email chain the department produced under the Freedom of Information Act, in which Ogles's lawyer John S. Irving asks Ed Martin to end the investigation and Martin acknowledges receipt.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Why we used this label
The case concerns the Justice Department's decision to end its campaign finance investigation of Ogles. Irving does not address the reported loans themselves; he says the issues are more appropriately handled by the Federal Election Commission and the House Ethics Committee, which disputes treating the matter as a criminal investigation.