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#51 ProConfesso

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Posted 09 February 2017 - 09:44 AM

And speaking of sending 20 agents to Chicago today to combat gun violence....In 2004 an ATF DD needed to spend down funds budgeted for moves and transfers - some things in the federal bureaucracy never change, i.e. next years budget won't increase if you don't waste, fraud and abuse all your current funds, so he commissioned his secretary, yes his secretary, to do a phoney "study."  This effectuated the unwanted transfer of a seasoned Chicago agent to Yakima, WA where no doubt the need necessitated.  ATF showing it was ahead of the crime trend.   



#52 ProConfesso

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Posted 09 February 2017 - 09:09 AM

Associate Deputy Director Ronald Turk's memo:

http://apps.washingt...gulations/2325/

 

"positive steps to further reduce gun violence through enforcement or regulation are extremely important but are not the focus of this paper."  One might argue that reducing gun violence through enforcement should be your sole focus.  A cursory read of this "memo" reads like what someone might write after a night out with an industry lobbyist.  I'd liken this to the verbiage that gets fed to Congressional staffers and written into law verbatim from lobbyist, like in the pharmaceutical industry, that serves only the interest of the corporation.  Perhaps we will learn the motives behind this some day.

How about this just off the top of my head to "suggest changes" - send all the program managers in hq to big cities, Chicago, NYC, Philadelphia etc..to combat gun violence.  Make ASAC's and Group Supervisors handle an actual case load. Eliminate the useless Public Information Officer sinecure position in each Field Division and add another brick agent to the roster.  Take away government vehicles from the agent stenographers (whole groups in most field divisions) that do nothing more than receive fax local police reports and cherry pick cases for federal prosecution.



#53 DONE

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Posted 09 February 2017 - 07:07 AM

OK, ATF does the right thing and forces Charlie Smith to retire. I didn't hear what deal was worked out. However, glad the hypocrite was shown the door. Good for Tom Brandon, for having the courage to do what's right. With AG Sessions now running the DOJ, I hope ATF can return to the Agency it used to be. Let the workers work and give Supervisors the ability to run off trouble makers.

#54 Zorro

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Posted 26 January 2017 - 05:51 PM

http://www.cnn.com/2...tion/index.html

 

http://dailycaller.c...ired-at-the-va/

 

A drop in the bucket (maybe a drop in the reservoir is more realistic), but it's at least a start.  


The views and opinions expressed by the author are just that. They are not the official opinion of anyone anywhere in any capacity.

#55 DONE

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Posted 23 January 2017 - 09:57 AM

I have a question. What did ATF ever do about then, ASAC Charlie Smith; Dallas F.D, spending all that time in the Oklahoma casinos? Of course, he found the time, while in the casinos to bust the Agents balls. I hope Tom Brandon did what's right and showed Charlie Smith the door. Last I heard, Charlie Smith was in the HQ area.

#56 retired1811

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Posted 18 November 2016 - 06:23 AM

I would think the new leadership for ATF is going to come from outside the agency. Media is reporting Jeff Sessions is being nominated for AG. He has an A plus rating by the NRA.

#57 VINCENT A CEFALU

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Posted 17 November 2016 - 03:41 PM

It is going to be interesting to see what ATF looks like under the new president. I suspect, at a minimum, there will be a hiring freeze and a loosing of regulations and laws.

Cant help but believe there will be budget cuts for sure. Thats easily handled but our "leaders" are never going to do it because their gain has been more important than the mission for years. Cut the number of 14s, 15, and SES's. FACT: we have 3 or 4 or 5 of them in positions that were done by one 11 or 12 historically.


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#58 retired1811

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Posted 17 November 2016 - 02:55 PM

It is going to be interesting to see what ATF looks like under the new president. I suspect, at a minimum, there will be a hiring freeze and a loosing of regulations and laws.

#59 VINCENT A CEFALU

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Posted 16 November 2016 - 03:48 PM

Wow it will be very interesting to see what happens to the Executive staff now that the election is over. First thing President elect Trump will probably cut the Loretta Lynch puppet strings From Brandon, Turk and Gleysteen (Mr. Horse trader). Cant have an "A" political enforcement agency when those in charge pander for personal gain at the agencies expense.. Within days of Lynch redifining law enforcement as Gaurdians not warriors, Brandons lips started moving. Well like I said then Mr. ACTING Director, Law Enforcement nation wide knows their responsibilities to protect the public. But there are a whole bunch of Police Officers dead, and to even suggest they shouldn't a warrior trait is irresponsible and weak. What in the HELL do you have SRTs for? Low risk non combative operations????? When the highest leadership of any law enforcement agency causes doubt in their agents minds, that could have devastating effects. FYI, YOU guys are the SWAMP, and our POTUS is gonna drain YOU.


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#60 DONE

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Posted 13 October 2016 - 01:17 PM

The FBI gave Clinton a pass in exchange for taking over Redstone. Once again, ATF gets run over by the FBI.

#61 abteilung

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Posted 27 September 2016 - 02:50 PM

http://whnt.com/2016...nt-of-the-army/

How soon until they kick out BATFE? What will Fat Bastard do?

#62 DONE

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Posted 22 July 2016 - 12:40 AM

Any word on who is getting the soon to be vacant Houston SAC job?

#63 DONE

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Posted 07 July 2016 - 10:08 AM

abteilung, That sounds typical for many ASACs in ATF. ATF Management is broken and will only get worse over time.

#64 abteilung

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Posted 03 July 2016 - 07:01 AM

More on wasteful spending, the ASAC who has pretended to be a criminal investigator for 20+ years......How do you go a whole career as an 1811, let alone get promoted to ASAC, when you've never done an investigation of your own your entire career? After all, he was nicknamed "One Case" for a reason. Now he gets to retire as a -15, although his career is notable for:
1. Bailing out on your group every Friday during an ops so that you can go home and have Mommy make you dinner, do your laundry, and powder your balls.
2. Get into HQ, sexually harass a civilian and get away with it, and get your -14.
3. Become a DOO and have to rely on another DOO to tell you what to do.
4. Spend your time as a group supervisor playing fantasy football with your buddies in the group.
5. Violate an agent's rights under federal law, and get away with "ignorance of the law" as an excuse.
6. Get assigned as a liaison to another agency which gets so pissed off at your antics, they tell ATF to transfer you as far away as possible.
7. Keep condoms in your GOV.
8. Get ASAC right down the road from home, keep your wife and kids at home, don't move them, get a ca$h payment from the G, and then retire several months later.

Let me ask all you plain old agents....do you think you'd get away with a career like this?

#65 Reno

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Posted 30 June 2016 - 07:11 PM

On the subject of wasteful spending, how can the ATF afford to pay a RAC 20k to move to Nevada after passing up a perfectly qualified local applicant on two separate occasions? Is this responsible for a country that's 20 trillion in debt? It was my understanding that relocation incentives were for locations lacking candidates. Just sounds like more fraud waste and abuse to me. I'm on the outside looking in. I just don't understand how Reno is a hardship transfer.

#66 VINCENT A CEFALU

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Posted 30 June 2016 - 11:34 AM

Ok, so ATF has gotten authority to extend CRITICAL employees past age 57. HOWEVER, in their infinite wisdom, (A decision made by Gleysteen), they turned down an extension for our ONLY Spanish fluent polygraph operator. This guy Cant walk and chew gum at the same time. One of the MOST inexperienced and corrupt managers/agents in the entire Bureau. And Turk just keeps backing his play.


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#67 RaggedyAnn

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Posted 30 June 2016 - 08:21 AM

Interesting article

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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#68 GoodWorker

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Posted 27 June 2016 - 05:52 PM

Kay Kubicki has been gone for almost two years and really missed on this site and the help she gave people "abused" by ATF.  She got things done or at least exposed and talked about in the open.

"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it."  George Orwell



#69 abteilung

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Posted 25 June 2016 - 04:06 PM

Is this the ATF National Response Team in Detroit?

 

636020268375591979-cityhallLockdown-0620

"This ain't your granddaddy's shotgun!"

 

America's Gun Police.....yeah.  Since when are jeans okay?  And where's the mag to Flannel Shirt's M4?  All this for an urgent trace?


Edited by abteilung, 26 June 2016 - 08:51 AM.


#70 x1811

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Posted 22 June 2016 - 03:18 AM

Is this the ATF National Response Team in Detroit?

 

636020268375591979-cityhallLockdown-0620



#71 just gotta shake your head

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Posted 15 June 2016 - 06:14 PM

Kay Kubicki has been gone for almost two years and really missed on this site and the help she gave people "abused" by ATF.  She got things done or at least exposed and talked about in the open.



#72 GoodWorker

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Posted 14 June 2016 - 06:27 PM

It's not many people who are in positions that are willing to make real change and are willing to stand up for what is right in order to promote integrity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!especially if all the positions are pre-selected.  The Systematic Hiring Process of Pre-Selection will never promote integrity, it only promotes continued corruption.

ATF has made little books on ethics for all personnel, made employees do mandatory whistle blower training on line, ethics training with lawyers, hang whistleblower signs all over the office, made people sign documents that nepotism was not part of the promotion process and yet all the big prohibited personnel actions are still taking place everyday around the country.  Idle threats go no where.  When the bosses are truly ready to hold people accountable in a fair and equitable manner, regardless of position, then and only then, will SOME of these violations stop.  Whistleblower retaliation is real in ATF and that is the only thing that employees believe.



#73 1801

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Posted 14 June 2016 - 03:49 PM

It's not many people who are in positions that are willing to make real change and are willing to stand up for what is right in order to promote integrity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!especially if all the positions are pre-selected.  The Systematic Hiring Process of Pre-Selection will never promote integrity, it only promotes continued corruption.



#74 CaptainWho

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Posted 10 June 2016 - 09:41 AM

1 Desertrat - I am sorry for the way you feel.  Many agents don't write any adopted cases.  I am guessing you are actually an inspector since you praise them in your post.  To be honest, what ATF Inspectors (Investigators now) do is something any person with basic bookkeeping skills and a 10th grade education could do.  When I started, Inspectors were two grades levels below agents for a reason.  It's a very simple job.  They almost never testify in court and do a few reports a week.  I think they serve a valid purpose, but to pay them $100k a year now is a joke.  They typically inspect the major four retailers because it's easier and the people there are nice to them.  Then, when they retire, they go get a job doing internal inspections for the major four retailers.  I don't disagree that ATF management is completely broken and many agents focus on just doing stuff that doesn't make the streets any safer.  

 

Retired Old Agent - generally, I don't get too involved discussions in these forums.  I generally just read them for updates and inside knowledge of what is going on through out the agency.  However, your post created a reaction in myself that I feel I must address. 

 

First, multiple times on this site and in this particular forum you remind readers and commentators of the many great things about ATF and the many great benefits given to the employees of the agency.  You do also attempt to address the negative things about the agency.  I, however, find that you have now discredited yourself by blatantly insulting the second largest series of employees of the agency.  Before you go there, yes, I am an IOI.

 

Second, I believe that it is near impossible to "restore integrity and accountability to the Bureau" by insulting IOIs, or as you like to say Inspectors.  I would like to remind you and everyone else that ATF as an agency is not made up of just Criminal Investigators AKA Special Agents, ATF is able to function because of the joint effort contributed by all employees.  Some employees contribute more than others but very rarely does anyone in ATF do their entire job completely separate from any other employee.  It is not to the benefit of this site or the agency to start attacking another series whose job you have likely never done and therefore have no real knowledge of what it is that they do.  (FYI - I can guarantee you that 1desertrat is not an IOI because he/she refers to IOIs as Inspectors and we don't do that any longer.)  My point here is this, you don't know every duty that IOIs do, you may have some general knowledge, but you don't know everything.  IOIs do many things that SAs don't and vice versa but that doesn't mean that one group is more important than the other.  The only reason that most people within the ATF feel that SAs are more important is because the agency has promoted a culture of separatism.  All jobs at the agency have a purpose.  The 1811 job is inherently more dangerous and risky, but that does not equate to importance. 

 

Third, the best way to make a difference within the agency is for all employees to realize that the other employees are people with personalities, feelings, families, lives, work ethics, etc. that you may or may not like, agree with, or believe in.  This should lead to all employees being treated fairly.  Yes, I know that is a Pollyanna attitude but it is the truth.  Employees should be protected.  It is hard to protect employees when managers or other employees believe that they belong to some sort of special upper class that others don't for whatever reason.  As soon as an employee believes they are better than some other employee, the system breaks down and the cycle of mismanagement, nepotism, retaliation, discrimination, etc. begins.  The agency needs to create a working environment that promotes team work and joint effort between members of the same job series and members of other job series. 

 

Lastly, I ask that we all remember that the ATF is a federal agency.  The people of the agency and their actions are what make the agency.  I really appreciate this site because it allows me and others to see the strengths and weaknesses of the agency.  I keep my fingers crossed that the members of the multiple leadership teams within the agency will stop turning a blind or encouraging eye toward acts of others that they know are wrong.  Hopefully, more people who are in positions that can make real change, will continue to stand up for what is right and will continue to promote integrity. 



#75 Zorro

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Posted 08 June 2016 - 07:07 PM

Salaries are a tough thing to bicker about when the average taxpayer who gets robbed to pay for us is pulling roughly 50k with more expensive health insurance and less pension.  Many would gladly take what some of us claim is insufficient. Given that several years ago the average ATF employee was drawing 91k from the public, with grade creep and raises since then, most of our financial supporters (who are routinely  labeled "greedy" by numerous politicians) might think we could all afford a bit of a haircut despite our high opinions of self-worth. 

 

 

 

 


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#76 Retired Old Agent

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Posted 07 June 2016 - 08:04 AM

As I have said in the past, you have to ask "what purpose does ATF currently serve"?  Any high school student can be taught how to write an adopted case and they don't even need to go into the field.  Any cop on the street has more intel and can seize a gun, record serial numbers and arrest felons with firearms.  All this is usually at the cost of 1/3 that of what an agent makes. We don't do explosives cases and those rare arson cases are usually done better by locals fire departments.  

 

So all this "super Fed" ideology of doing cases all over the country never happens.  Very few cases matter or ever leave the local areas. If a big case is attempted, most likely it will be fucked up and everyone gets released and their stuff returned.  The only ATF employees actually keeping the gun community honest are the inspectors checking FFL books.  During my 25 years as an Agent I went from having great pride and loving the job to it being just a paycheck.  After years of getting beat up by management and seeing incompetents rise to the top, I just gave up, did the bare minimum and could care less if the office burned down once I left for the day.  I think many now feel the same.  So many of the new agents hired now seem to be cocky little pricks who see everyone else as fucked up and individuals I would least give a gun to.  Yes, I am cynical but Sooooo glad to be gone!! 

 

My advise to anyone still on the job is to maximize your pay, minimize your effort and just remember that its only a pay check. Do nothing that will draw attention to yourself or get you hurt.  Enjoy your family and be home for dinner each night, because all the rest is bullshit that does not matter!

1 Desertrat - I am sorry for the way you feel.  Many agents don't write any adopted cases.  I am guessing you are actually an inspector since you praise them in your post.  To be honest, what ATF Inspectors (Investigators now) do is something any person with basic bookkeeping skills and a 10th grade education could do.  When I started, Inspectors were two grades levels below agents for a reason.  It's a very simple job.  They almost never testify in court and do a few reports a week.  I think they serve a valid purpose, but to pay them $100k a year now is a joke.  They typically inspect the major four retailers because it's easier and the people there are nice to them.  Then, when they retire, they go get a job doing internal inspections for the major four retailers.  I don't disagree that ATF management is completely broken and many agents focus on just doing stuff that doesn't make the streets any safer.  



#77 RaggedyAnn

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Posted 02 June 2016 - 07:02 PM

I just discovered two new upcoming surveys to be given to federal employees from the Merit Systems Protection Board in 2016. The drafts are on the MSPB website. The questions are the  most interesting questions that I have ever seen in my experience with taking federal employee surveys. These issues are now being asked when they have been occurring for years and years. I wonder what precipitated these surveys? I wonder if the MSPB will be sending the surveys out to each federal employee or will they be relying on each agency to send the surveys out. If it is the latter, considering the detail of the questions about workplace harassment, sabotage, poor management, prohibited personnel practices, nepotism, signing non-disclosure to harm whistle-blowers, and the list is more detailed, I doubt if most of the corrupt federal managers (which seem to be at a premium in all the agencies) will allow employees to see these surveys, much less answer them if they are responsible for the distribution of the surveys. I believe that the MSPB reports directly to Congress. Maybe Congress has initiated these surveys. Something or someone did. Now to make certain that they are distributed fairly and equitably without fear of reprisal to all federal employees and then fix the problems that are at epidemic proportions throughout the federal work force. I wish that federal retirees were also included in the population to be surveyed as they are a lot of insight into these problems and perhaps some solutions. Maybe I will suggest that to someone.

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#78 abteilung

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Posted 26 May 2016 - 02:46 PM

I filed an OIG complaint against The Prince of the City.  Nothing was done; the SAC squashed it.  I then filed with OSC when POTC started retaliating.  Guess what the idiot lawyer at OSC said: if ATF didn't take any action against POTC, then he can't be retaliating against me.

 

To this day, POTC keeps trying to eff with me.  Last time he did, I won.  But the battles still wage because this Agency won't own up to its serial abusers and assorted thugs.



#79 VINCENT A CEFALU

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Posted 26 May 2016 - 01:09 PM

Seriously ATF? The WORST serial abuser of whistle-blowers in the entire government? Posting a notice aint good enough. Fire the members of your Executive staff, (Starting with your corrupt ADFO) and continuing until you have set the standard and put your abusive bosses on notice.

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#80 DONE

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Posted 26 May 2016 - 10:56 AM

Hey 1desertrat, Sorry you Retired and now hate ATF. I recently retired. But, I still would like to see ATF do well. I still believe ATF has a great mission and a great group of Agents out there working hard. Does ATF have a lot of lazy, trouble making Agents? Absolutely. I stayed away from them and only stayed friends with the workers and people I cared about.

I think it's sad that you want to see ATF crumble, because you left. I'm confident what's made you bitter is some of the people (idiots) getting promoted. Further, many Agents throwing the Race Card around like a frisbee only made it worse. Staying angry will only rot your gut.

Enjoy Retirement and Stay Safe. PEACE.

#81 1desertrat

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Posted 18 May 2016 - 12:42 PM

As I have said in the past, you have to ask "what purpose does ATF currently serve"?  Any high school student can be taught how to write an adopted case and they don't even need to go into the field.  Any cop on the street has more intel and can seize a gun, record serial numbers and arrest felons with firearms.  All this is usually at the cost of 1/3 that of what an agent makes. We don't do explosives cases and those rare arson cases are usually done better by locals fire departments.  

 

So all this "super Fed" ideology of doing cases all over the country never happens.  Very few cases matter or ever leave the local areas. If a big case is attempted, most likely it will be fucked up and everyone gets released and their stuff returned.  The only ATF employees actually keeping the gun community honest are the inspectors checking FFL books.  During my 25 years as an Agent I went from having great pride and loving the job to it being just a paycheck.  After years of getting beat up by management and seeing incompetents rise to the top, I just gave up, did the bare minimum and could care less if the office burned down once I left for the day.  I think many now feel the same.  So many of the new agents hired now seem to be cocky little pricks who see everyone else as fucked up and individuals I would least give a gun to.  Yes, I am cynical but Sooooo glad to be gone!! 

 

My advise to anyone still on the job is to maximize your pay, minimize your effort and just remember that its only a pay check. Do nothing that will draw attention to yourself or get you hurt.  Enjoy your family and be home for dinner each night, because all the rest is bullshit that does not matter!



#82 GoodWorker

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Posted 16 May 2016 - 07:18 PM

It's a joke.  Scott Sweedo, DAD in Intel,  got caught red handed stealing personnel files with the help of Robin Shoemaker, DAD in HRPD,  so he could start his new business writing SES packages for SES candidates.  It was investigated and proven.  Shoemaker got her desired transfer to Detroit as a SAC (where she is destroying the entire division) and Sweedo received no punishment and transferred.  Why?  Because they are SESs.  It's a big joke.  There are no vast conspiracy in ATF, just a bunch of self serving individuals who only care about themselves.  In fact, they would have the agents do nothing if they could get away with it.  You will never receive these personnel files, because they are personnel files. Even if you are a complainant, you aren't allowed to know what disciplinary action was taken against the supervisor that wronged you.   I still laugh about the human lie detector.  She's not an agent.  She never in her entire career did a criminal interview.  She built an entire company based on her experience which didn't happen.  The simple fact that upper management lying has become some common place that no one even notices.  It is just what they do and even if someone speaks up against it, they are quickly forced out.  

I agree with most of these observations but the part about the personnel files is not completely accurate because if you do a Google search of the DOJ OIG investigations and misconduct, you will find summaries of the misconduct and the disposition of the investigations.  They list ATF, FBI, DEA and other DOJ component employees who violated the law or DOJ policy.  The McMahon scandal was included.    



#83 Retired Old Agent

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Posted 16 May 2016 - 07:17 AM

I wish the media would do a FOIA request into those people who had an allegation against them and if the allegation was investigated.  Was the investigation competent or not?  What was the punishment if any?  What was the grade of the person punished?  Was the punishment permissible or did ATF break their own rules on the "punishment."

It's a joke.  Scott Sweedo, DAD in Intel,  got caught red handed stealing personnel files with the help of Robin Shoemaker, DAD in HRPD,  so he could start his new business writing SES packages for SES candidates.  It was investigated and proven.  Shoemaker got her desired transfer to Detroit as a SAC (where she is destroying the entire division) and Sweedo received no punishment and transferred.  Why?  Because they are SESs.  It's a big joke.  There are no vast conspiracy in ATF, just a bunch of self serving individuals who only care about themselves.  In fact, they would have the agents do nothing if they could get away with it.  You will never receive these personnel files, because they are personnel files. Even if you are a complainant, you aren't allowed to know what disciplinary action was taken against the supervisor that wronged you.   I still laugh about the human lie detector.  She's not an agent.  She never in her entire career did a criminal interview.  She built an entire company based on her experience which didn't happen.  The simple fact that upper management lying has become some common place that no one even notices.  It is just what they do and even if someone speaks up against it, they are quickly forced out.  



#84 GoodWorker

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Posted 14 May 2016 - 08:14 PM

Also, I would love someone to take a hard look at ATF and realize the huge increase we have had in management over the past 30 years.  When I came on, we had half the SACS in the nation, one ASAC per field division, a supervisor had 10 to 15 employees and we didn't have todays technology to help us.

NOW we have double the SACS, two ASAC per field division, numerous ADs (9?)and DADs (19?), triple the group supervisors and the only reason was to justify for SES positions.  They don't care about the agency, they care about their next promotion.  If someone took a look at their bonuses it would be clear.

TSA just got tagged for giving their #3 a $90k bonuses.  Well... I've got some shocking news for you.  Go take a look at even Shoemaker's bonuses.  She has been a train wreck for her entire career, but played the LGBT card time and time again and keeps getting exactly what she wants - AND SHE IS A COMPLETE IDIOT.  Every time they try to correct her, she claims she is being discriminated against because of her sexual preference.  

Please understand..this is ATF.  LGBT is probably the most normal thing in ATF.  No one cares.  Enough with management.  ATF needs real leadership.

I wish the media would do a FOIA request into those people who had an allegation against them and if the allegation was investigated.  Was the investigation competent or not?  What was the punishment if any?  What was the grade of the person punished?  Was the punishment permissible or did ATF break their own rules on the "punishment."



#85 Retired Old Agent

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Posted 13 May 2016 - 03:00 PM

Also, I would love someone to take a hard look at ATF and realize the huge increase we have had in management over the past 30 years.  When I came on, we had half the SACS in the nation, one ASAC per field division, a supervisor had 10 to 15 employees and we didn't have todays technology to help us.

NOW we have double the SACS, two ASAC per field division, numerous ADs (9?)and DADs (19?), triple the group supervisors and the only reason was to justify for SES positions.  They don't care about the agency, they care about their next promotion.  If someone took a look at their bonuses it would be clear.

TSA just got tagged for giving their #3 a $90k bonuses.  Well... I've got some shocking news for you.  Go take a look at even Shoemaker's bonuses.  She has been a train wreck for her entire career, but played the LGBT card time and time again and keeps getting exactly what she wants - AND SHE IS A COMPLETE IDIOT.  Every time they try to correct her, she claims she is being discriminated against because of her sexual preference.  

Please understand..this is ATF.  LGBT is probably the most normal thing in ATF.  No one cares.  Enough with management.  ATF needs real leadership.

 



#86 Retired Old Agent

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Posted 13 May 2016 - 02:49 PM

I still can't believe no one pays attention to the stuff our SES cadre pulls.  I still think Dick Chase has to take the prize.  He was the AD of OPRSO.  Steps down (but keeps his pay) to the SAC of the Denver Field Division.  Never shows up for almost the entire two years.  Lives in northern Montana.  Collects his paycheck.  Travels the nation on the ATF dime while getting certifications for his retirement career AND GETS ATF TO PAY FOR IT ALL.  At least Kelvin Crenshaw came into the office to have sex with random women as the SAC of  Seattle.  Dick Chase didn't even bother to do that.  Since then, we have had several other SACS pull the same stuff.  Rarely show up for work.  Travel the nation on the government dime.  Claim a back injury as work related, even though it happened on a ski slope.  For pete sakes, they write their own evaluations and no one reviews them!  The good ones speak out and are quickly silenced.  If you want to get promoted, you don't do anything, you just go along with the game.  Herkins gets thrown out of San Francisco for incompetence and get a promotion for his trouble.  Shoemaker is removed for cause as SAC of Columbus and is promoted, then transferred to Detroit, just because that's what she wants.  We need a real director to come in and clean house.  Remember Kathy Kiernan??? She got caught traveling back to Chicago to get her doctorate on the government dime.  It caused her to lose out on a job at the White House.  The point being, the White House thought is was unethical and abuse, but ATF didn't do anything about it.  Why?  Because she was an SES.  If Jay or Vince had pulled that stunt, ATF would have prosecuted them.  The more you move up in ATF, you aren't held to a higher standard, you are held to absolutely no standard.  Our working agents put themselves on the line every day, but the ones who get most of the promotions and bonuses are the self serving asses who only care about their next promotion.

Again, the Dick Chase stuff is easy to prove.  It's all there in his travel vouchers.  In fact, one of the Denver Group Supervisors reported him to internal affairs and was punished for questioning the conduct of an SES.  Remember Vanessa McLemore?  Everyone who complained about her racist and abusing use of government resources was punished.  She retired with a big ceremony at ATF HQ, even though DOJ OIG recommended prosecution.  So sick of this shit.



#87 GoodWorker

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Posted 21 April 2016 - 07:15 PM

How does one report it? Who would listen? Some of us aren't considered to be SME on anything unethical or possibly illegal and/or criminal . How does one get around that sort of prejudice?

Depending on who you are, ATF does not investigate, they retaliate.



#88 RaggedyAnn

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Posted 19 April 2016 - 06:49 PM

How does one report it? Who would listen? Some of us aren't considered to be SME on anything unethical or possibly illegal and/or criminal . How does one get around that sort of prejudice?



#89 VINCENT A CEFALU

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Posted 19 April 2016 - 04:04 PM

I find it extremely interesting that I was flown to HQ and interviewed for two days by INTERNAL AFFAIRS, (WHILE I WORKED FOR MICHAEL GLEYSTEEN) over the fact that I gave Jay Dobyns a pump on his book and an image of my ATF badge was attached to the testimonial for Jays book. BUT, AD Michael Gleysteen can use his position and title to advance the cause of a private business, (for which he obviously has close ties to). Somebody still in the agency might want to file a complaint about his career long unethical conduct and hypocrisy.

Attached Files


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#90 Jaime3

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Posted 06 April 2016 - 06:25 AM

http://m.govexec.com...ackyard/127189/

#91 Jaime3

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Posted 05 April 2016 - 06:36 AM

For those who do not know, AG Loretta Lynch will not prosecute Hillary Clinton because that would open up a can of worms.
Plus the DOJ Attorneys are too busy to take the case because they're too busy teaching ATF management on how to destroy evidence.

There are several people in past and pending litigation against ATF with allegations of evidence destruction!

Contact Congress, Independant Journalist and anyone who will do a story because ATF and DOJ are the biggest violators of evidence destruction.
How can they talk about Ferguson, Clinton, and other people's backyard when their yard is filled with crap! Hypocrites!

#92 Jaime3

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Posted 28 March 2016 - 06:44 AM

I will leave this right here-

http://dailycaller.c...al-to-congress/

Sounds familiar?
For people on the inside of the VA, they know the bosses pay was doubled by minimizing one or more series to maximize all others

#93 abteilung

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Posted 27 March 2016 - 02:37 PM

An investigative analyst is code word for secretary when they want a higher grade than "secretary" allows.  Our IA was barely qualified to answer the telephone!  I once was asked to review applicants for the IA job.  The job description was written up like a real investigative job.  Military, people with Masters Degrees and other cops applied.  In reality it was a job to answer the phone and pick up the mail.

This is great information for my EEO.  Some people think there's very little difference between an 1811 and an IA.



#94 Jaime3

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Posted 27 March 2016 - 02:29 AM

Key term and key point is 'Written up as.'
Fraud.

#95 1desertrat

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Posted 25 March 2016 - 03:41 PM

ATF is defrauding the government by claiming on paper that Investigative Analyst and Industry Operations Analyst do the same job. They aren't even trained the same nor have access to the same information.

An investigative analyst is code word for secretary when they want a higher grade than "secretary" allows.  Our IA was barely qualified to answer the telephone!  I once was asked to review applicants for the IA job.  The job description was written up like a real investigative job.  Military, people with Masters Degrees and other cops applied.  In reality it was a job to answer the phone and pick up the mail.



#96 Jaime3

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Posted 24 March 2016 - 04:17 PM

ATF is defrauding the government by claiming on paper that Investigative Analyst and Industry Operations Analyst do the same job. They aren't even trained the same nor have access to the same information.

#97 abteilung

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Posted 23 March 2016 - 08:40 AM

Jaime3: What does that mean?



#98 Jaime3

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Posted 22 March 2016 - 04:33 PM

ATF just put their foot in it with the Analyst 1805 series. This will be explosive (no pun intended).

#99 VINCENT A CEFALU

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Posted 11 March 2016 - 01:39 PM

One of the great things about ATF was the fact you weren't forced into management and moved.  This is also one of the worst things about ATF.  A large percentage of our management is made up of complete do nothings who couldn't cut it in the field.  Instead, they move into management and fail, so they get promoted, then fail again.  Robin Shoemaker is a great example.  She has failed in every position in her career, but then screams she is being discriminated because she is a lesbian.  She has been removed so many time, then promoted after failing.  It's a joke.  If everyone at ATF knew they had to move in their career, the good people would start stepping up because they knew they were going to get moved regardless.

In reality, Police Departments have the same issues. The great investigators want to stay investigators.  A lot of the chiefs just run their entire career touching the base so they can get the next promotion.  They never get good at anything.  

 

The same is true of ATF.  Many or most of our management have no clue how to work a case.  There really is a false impression of what the bosses do.  They don't direct cases.  Many just want nothing to happen so they get their next promotion.  

 

The number one priority of the SES cadre is to take care of the SES cadre.  We went from  2 SESs to over 50, but with less agents.  

Therein lie the problem. For over a decade now, ATF has promoted kiss asses, yes men and marginally skilled field agents to fast and not based on merit. My first supervisor had 16 years on the job before he got a RAC job. We have 5 year supervisors now.


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#100 VINCENT A CEFALU

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Posted 11 March 2016 - 01:36 PM

Robin Shoemaker did not fail at anything.  The Columbus Field division has always been a train wreck and still is.  Not everyone likes ATF management but Shoemaker was given a raw deal.  New Jersey had no problem with Shoemaker.  HQ had no problems.  Detroit has no problems.  Retired Old Agent you have a personal agenda against Shoemaker.  There has been and still is management far WORSE than Robin Shoemaker.  Strong woman piss weak men off !!!!

Poor leadership created a breakdown in Columbus. THAT IS Robins bad. I am so sick of hearing, "it was that way when she got there". So what. They damn near had a FULL FLEDGED mutiny there. They have protected her and covered her incompetence for years. Thats the fact


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