Shake up
Word is circulating that a number of ATF supervisors, from field up to high HQ levels, Assistant Directors and such, are being effectively suspended (effectively, but without using that term) while higher powers look into their competence and allegations of abuse and/or fraud. The Inspector General is said to be taking a role, and some of those involved in matters like Red’s Trading Post are under the microscope.
I hope so. And it’s about time. The ATF continues its stellar performance. Past episodes include:
OMB cracks down on ATF’s letter rulings (you know, we mean it this week but next week maybe not)
ATF agents peddling anti-gun propaganda
Retaliation against whistleblowers.
Ignoring congressional recommendations.
Trouble with their database and lying about it.
Criticized by congress for going after clerical errors instead of, you know, real gun crime.
Unethical and illegal actions from field managers.
Lying in court and getting slapped for it.
Lying (or time-traveling) to make a case that one of their auditees is harassing them.
A circuit court smacks them down for their ruling on model rockets;
An agent testified under oath that the NFRTR (the NFA weapons database) was corrupt;
Having budget issues due to mismanagement;
Being investigated for breaking he law at Virginia gun shows.
And they’ve had funds cut for some of their rather, err, dubious programs.
The ATF Director has resigned over excessive and lavish spending.
The now former head of the ATF ordered staff to do his nephew’s homework.
And employees are coming forward with allegations of mismanagement.
May 27th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Thank you for keeping up with this. The ATF is almost, but not quite, as scary as the IRS. And that says a lot, because the IRS is just plain horrifying.
May 27th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Do IRS agents do dynamic entry raids? Sure, the IRS can screw up your life, but the ATF can literally blow you away through negligence.
May 27th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
He’s got a point there. The IRS wants your money. The ATF wants you dead.
May 27th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
and Olofson is the bad guy.
May 27th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
never said olofson was the bad guy. said parts of his story were inconsistent.
May 27th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Hey, how about John Lawmaster? Have you checked out atfabuse.com? Let’s not forget the kitten stomping either.
Heh. I’m pretty happy with the Google result for a search on atf abuse.