Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is accusing his Democratic challenger, Bob Harvie, of being "under FBI investigation," repeating the claim in ads and mailers despite no public evidence. Harvie testified to a grand jury in 2022 as part of a probe into suburban Philadelphia governments, but no indictments have been reported and the FBI declined to comment. Harvie denies being a target and has sent a cease-and-desist letter; Fitzpatrick says Harvie is an "investigative subject." The dispute is politically significant in a closely contested district that Democrats view as a prime pickup opportunity.
Fitzpatrick Claims Opponent Is 'Under FBI Investigation' — No Public Evidence Backs It
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican from Pennsylvania, speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. The legislation proposed by a bipartisan group of House lawmakers, titled the "Bipartisan Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act," includes funding for security at the U.S.-Mexico border, as well as aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), a two-term incumbent who has won in a Democratic-leaning district north of Philadelphia by cultivating a bipartisan reputation, is running ads and distributing materials that say his Democratic challenger, Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie, is "under FBI investigation." The claim has become a central—and contested—issue in an increasingly competitive race.
The Claim and What Is Known
Fitzpatrick's campaign has amplified the allegation on TV, mailers and billboards. Harvie did testify before a grand jury in 2022 as part of a broader inquiry into local governments in suburban Philadelphia, but that probe produced no public indictments and reporters have not been told who, specifically, was the focus of the investigation. The FBI declined to comment for this story.
Conflicting Accounts
Fitzpatrick, who previously worked as a federal prosecutor and an FBI agent, told reporters he is "well aware of [Harvie's] status in this case" and has seen material in files Harvie "refuses to release." He has characterized Harvie not merely as a witness but as an "investigative subject," a legal distinction prosecutors sometimes use to indicate an individual's conduct is under scrutiny.
"I am a former FBI agent, but I know how grand juries work, and I'm well aware of his status in this case," Fitzpatrick said.
Harvie and his attorneys sharply reject that characterization. Harvie says he testified only as a witness, that no file exists for him to release, and that he is not the subject of any criminal probe. His legal team sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding Fitzpatrick's campaign stop repeating the allegation, and wrote that "Harvie is not now and has never been the subject of any criminal investigation." Harvie has threatened legal action if the ads continue.
Timing, Politics and Possible Outcomes
The dispute matters politically. Fitzpatrick is one of only three House Republicans representing districts that voted for Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, making the seat a top Democratic target as they seek to reclaim the House. Fitzpatrick's reputation for breaking with his party on issues such as foreign policy, gun safety and social-welfare measures has helped him survive in a competitive district.
Fitzpatrick has said Harvie could resolve the matter by releasing any relevant file or by pursuing the lawsuit he threatened, but he acknowledged that litigation could take weeks or months and might not be resolved before Election Day. For now, there is no public record corroborating an active FBI investigation into Harvie, and no indictments have been reported.
Bottom Line
The race turns on competing claims: Fitzpatrick's assertion, based on his background and what he says he has seen in files, that Harvie is an investigative subject; and Harvie's categorical denial, backed by his lawyer's statement and a cease-and-desist demand. With limited public information and the FBI declining comment, voters are left to weigh the competing accounts as the campaign continues.
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