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25 ATF Agents write letter outlining scandals

The contents of their letter are pretty stunning. A few samples:

"The Bureaus second most powerful manager Deputy Director Edgar Domenech, himself filed a whistleblower complaint and publicly stated that the Bureau of ATF has a propensity for reprisal and he “knew” such actions would result in career suicide."

"A Special Agent attempts to resist an investigation using unlawful wiretaps. The Special Agent openly challenges and reports it to superiors. After 20 + years of exemplary service, the next 1 ½ years results in the Special Agent and his family being transferred 5 times, suspended for 3 days, attempts made to have a psyche evaluation conducted, 2 letters of reprimand, and ultimately a termination."

"Complainants or those who would challenge unethical and/or illegal acts by Special Agents in Charge or senior managers are often threatened with collecting their next pay check in Fargo, North Dakota or Anchorage, Alaska."

"An anonymous letter was sent to the Department of Justice OIG from Las Vegas, Nevada alleging government Fraud waste and abuse. The OIG provided the letter to ATF Internal affairs for follow up investigation into the allegations contained in the anonymous letter. One of the primary objectives by ATF Internal Affairs investigators was to identify the author of the anonymous letter. During theInternal Affairs investigation, ATF identified an Agent who ATF had perceived to have been the whistleblower. This Agent became the recipient of vindictive personnel actions that ranged from a letter of reprimand to a notice of proposed removal from Federal service. Further investigation identified the true author of the letter and he/she admitted to being the author of the letter. ATF management then directed their attack on the actual whistleblower. ATF continued their attack on the perceived whistleblower and terminated him from Federal service. The Agent was later reinstated by ATF after appealing his removal to the MSPB [Merit Systems Protection Board]."

Related: Letter from House Judiciary, asking questions about the agency letting guns pass into Mexico;

Mexican officials quite upset at the news.

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· BATFE

All totalitarian organizations function the same -- CYA is the golden rule. Luckily for these agents, ATF is not yet the American KGB (although ATF has no shortage of bullets).

Posted by: Law Prof at March 17, 2011 09:01 PM

Completely out of control. Henry Kissinger said, that the reason the politics in Acadamia were so vicious was because the stakes were so low. Clearly the work the ATF does is not consuming, the are over-staffed and have too much time on their hands to devote to malfeasance and corruption. Clean house. Fire half, start with the managers. Roll the rest into the Peace Corps.

Posted by: Jim D. at March 17, 2011 09:27 PM

Prohibition ended eighty years ago. The time has arrived to close the branch of the treasury department created to enforce it. Any legitimate law enforcement functions can be rolled into the FBI. Any legitimate regulatory functions can be, well, I could care less...

Posted by: John at March 17, 2011 10:29 PM

Shut the ATF down. Budget shortfalls & stuff y'know?

Posted by: P. Aaron at March 18, 2011 06:43 AM

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