563 replies to this topic

[Bullit]

Doc Holiday, on 08 January 2011 - 10:46 AM, said:

REMINDER FOLKS. This website is designed to show Waste, Fraud and Abuse, unethical conduct,and gross mismanagement. Let's attempt to handle personal beefs in some other arena. We all know the byproduct of the horrible leadership of recent history produces poor and abusive managers. Let fix the real problem and minimize the personal sniping. Unfortunately being a poser and an incompetent isn't against the law or Bureau policies. Let Focus. Happy 2011. May ATF be pulled from the embers of failure and rise once again. Where is Congressman Jim Lightfoot and Dennis Deconcini when we need them. Who in Congress will step up, demand accoutability and save this agency?

I agree Holiday, but thruth 101 is now making shit up. He knows nothing about John and who made the bql, and further Brian's detail ended almost a year ago

[apostate]

thruth101, on 08 January 2011 - 05:27 AM, said:

How would one be able to explain ATF's prodigy child, John Durastanti, Deputy Chief SOD.  Previous job, SAC CIMB.  Both appointments were made (after each announcement was re-written specifically tailored to JD) by the KMB (Kansas City Mafia Boss, Vidoli.  If you asked JD what 924C is, he would spout out a specific office in HQ, yep......   And last but not least, tagging along, his pet, Brian Mamayek, who to this day will put on his ATF raid jacket when one talks about a Blue Cover.  Mamayek has had more IA investigations (for ATF violations!!!) and shooting review investigations with only one of them being armed (????), than anybody in this Bureau. Yet SOD keeps him at HQ on perdiem while this "clears" up. Follow the paper trail................

You're not suggesting that the ATF promotion process is corrupt are you? So people with no investigative experience and street time are being promoted over experienced agents? So an agent who never did an op or put handcuffs on someone, worked a CI, spent time testifying in court is qualified to be in ATF management?  Is the ATF assessment center fixed then?

I have to say that I am shocked!!!!

[Doc Holiday]

REMINDER FOLKS. This website is designed to show Waste, Fraud and Abuse, unethical conduct,and gross mismanagement. Let's attempt to handle personal beefs in some other arena. We all know the byproduct of the horrible leadership of recent history produces poor and abusive managers. Let fix the real problem and minimize the personal sniping. Unfortunately being a poser and an incompetent isn't against the law or Bureau policies. Let Focus. Happy 2011. May ATF be pulled from the embers of failure and rise once again. Where is Congressman Jim Lightfoot and Dennis Deconcini when we need them. Who in Congress will step up, demand accoutability and save this agency?

[Bullit]

thruth101, on 08 January 2011 - 05:27 AM, said:

How would one be able to explain ATF's prodigy child, John Durastanti, Deputy Chief SOD.  Previous job, SAC CIMB.  Both appointments were made (after each announcement was re-written specifically tailored to JD) by the KMB (Kansas City Mafia Boss, Vidoli.  If you asked JD what 924C is, he would spout out a specific office in HQ, yep......   And last but not least, tagging along, his pet, Brian Mamayek, who to this day will put on his ATF raid jacket when one talks about a Blue Cover.  Mamayek has had more IA investigations (for ATF violations!!!) and shooting review investigations with only one of them being armed (????), than anybody in this Bureau. Yet SOD keeps him at HQ on perdiem while this "clears" up. Follow the paper trail................

Enough

I know who you are, you crybaby.

And you truth101can't be serious taking about making arrests. Why don't you step up coward and be part of the solution instead of picking on SOD

[thruth101]

How would one be able to explain ATF's prodigy child, John Durastanti, Deputy Chief SOD.  Previous job, SAC CIMB.  Both appointments were made (after each announcement was re-written specifically tailored to JD) by the KMB (Kansas City Mafia Boss, Vidoli.  If you asked JD what 924C is, he would spout out a specific office in HQ, yep......   And last but not least, tagging along, his pet, Brian Mamayek, who to this day will put on his ATF raid jacket when one talks about a Blue Cover.  Mamayek has had more IA investigations (for ATF violations!!!) and shooting review investigations with only one of them being armed (????), than anybody in this Bureau. Yet SOD keeps him at HQ on perdiem while this "clears" up. Follow the paper trail................

[Doc Holiday]

Just goes to show how silly rumors get started. Word is that NIBIN Chief Mike Oneil is gonna get an ASAC job. Let's be real. 4 yrs investigative time. Couple yrs intell and 3 or 4 in HQ. Barely 10 yrs on the job. It aint happenin people. Mr. Melson or Traver would NEVER allow that to happen. He has to be on his second holster and set of BDUs at least, before he can be a ASAC.

[Historic Arms LLC]

Mr. Vanderplow,

As an outsider and a Federal Firearms Licensee, I am impressed by your willingness to engage in a meaningful dialog with this forum.

Enforcement Programs and Services could learn a lot from you.

Respectfully,

Len Savage

[vanderplow]

VINCENT A CEFALU, on 01 January 2011 - 10:39 AM, said:

Paul, let me say this. It is admirable (no sarcasm), that you had the courage and integrity to come on here in an attempt to set the record straight and/or clarify. I'm not sure but I believe you are THE FIRST and ONLY ATF manager to do so. At a time when our Senior management all the way to the Top, hides, burys their heads in the sand and uses Chief counsels office to spin their corrupt acts, You have shown them how to handle your business. I know nothing of the facts that were discussed in this post, and quite frankly DON'T CARE. I'm just proud to see ONE manager address issues candidly and transparently. Happy New Year.

Good Evening,

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to respond.  I will make this an open invitation to anyone who is interested, if I am involved with a specific event/topic, I invite you to contact me and I will be more than happy to discuss the issue with you (please note, there might be some things I can't talk about - but to the extent I can, I will).  There are a multitude of projects going on at any one time and viewed separately, they don't make much sense.  However collectively, it might make sense (hell, it might not, but I'm willing to listen/discuss).

I ask that everyone be safe in 2011, help your brother and sister Agents succeed and please give me a reason to ask for funding to support your case work and other projects which move ATF's mission forward.

Happy New Year
Paul Vanderplow
Section Chief - Resource Management

[Zorro]

I second Mr. Cefalu's comments and will add that if inaccurate info has been posted, I hope it gets corrected with a public retraction.  Without integrity "we" become "they".

[VINCENT A CEFALU]

Paul, let me say this. It is admirable (no sarcasm), that you had the courage and integrity to come on here in an attempt to set the record straight and/or clarify. I'm not sure but I believe you are THE FIRST and ONLY ATF manager to do so. At a time when our Senior management all the way to the Top, hides, burys their heads in the sand and uses Chief counsels office to spin their corrupt acts, You have shown them how to handle your business. I know nothing of the facts that were discussed in this post, and quite frankly DON'T CARE. I'm just proud to see ONE manager address issues candidly and transparently. Happy New Year.

vanderplow, on 31 December 2010 - 05:47 PM, said:

Good Afternoon,

This is Paul Vanderplow.  If anyone has any questions regarding this event or the circumstances around it, please look me up in Outlook and give me a call.  By the way, to interject some fact/reality to this "discussion" (marked for sarcasm) I cancelled this trip about two months ago when the other reason I had to travel to the LAFD was cancelled.  I stand by my ethics, judgement and prudent use of Government funds.  By the way, the last time I worked an event in California, I worked a 20 hour day with NO overtime, night differential, Holiday or Sunday Pay.  Boy that sounds like a party to me (again marked for sarcasm).

[vanderplow]

apostate, on 30 December 2010 - 08:58 AM, said:

All I can say is wow! We have no money for basic required training, ammunition, investigative travel, car repairs and ATF is paying upper Mgt types to party in California and Las Vegas ( SHOT show) and God knows where else!!!

Good Afternoon,

This is Paul Vanderplow.  If anyone has any questions regarding this event or the circumstances around it, please look me up in Outlook and give me a call.  By the way, to interject some fact/reality to this "discussion" (marked for sarcasm) I cancelled this trip about two months ago when the other reason I had to travel to the LAFD was cancelled.  I stand by my ethics, judgement and prudent use of Government funds.  By the way, the last time I worked an event in California, I worked a 20 hour day with NO overtime, night differential, Holiday or Sunday Pay.  Boy that sounds like a party to me (again marked for sarcasm).

[Antigone]

Catch up on the latest - NIBIN is run by OST / Laboratory Services. (And, Riehl wasn't going to go to Philly. One of the Baltimore ASACs was. Neither Riehl nor Chait were going to move. Chait's staying on the DC ride and there were other plans for Riehl; who was also not moving.)

[Noreaster]

The way we are using NIBIN, or maybe I should say mis using it, is a crime and a total waste of what could be.  My understanding is DOJ asset forfeiture money pays for all the evidence and property custodian contractors.  There are a couple companies who have the contract, with the big money paid to West River. I think the other company is called FSA.  West River is headed by a former Feeb.  They are the guys who hired former ASACs Tommy Stankiewitz and Larry Murray until both got the axe.  Just my opinion but so long as it isn't ATF money paying for these guys, I don't mind.

[Iceman]

That's simple. Because NIBIN has been ignored just like every other program in this Bureau. We have dozens of SES and GS 15s doing what one or two motivated GS 13s could do. If we are not careful, we are going to lose that too. Any thoughts on how much we save by going back to having Agents handle our evidence again?

ProConfesso, on 31 December 2010 - 08:00 AM, said:

Why do some Field Divisions (most/all) have a S/A assigned to NIBIN duties but one local has an outside contractor?

[ProConfesso]

Why do some Field Divisions (most/all) have a S/A assigned to NIBIN duties but one local has an outside contractor?

[Valkyrie]

Noreaster, on 24 December 2010 - 10:16 PM, said:

Doc

Heard from some buddies over the last couple days that we are now in big trouble in the explosives field.  Here is the basic story I heard: The federal Office of Management and Budget filed a report looking to cut out our explosives work and claims we just duplicate what the FBI does except for our regulatory work, and also said we should have our money taken away for NIBIN, state and local training and PCS moves.  I also heard Chait sent a memo to the SACs in the last few days saying we need to start cutting NRT, SRT, travel, conferences, office supplies, cars, hiring, the new Glocks, and all state and local training.

Allegedly our huge new explosives building in Alabama has no money to operate and no people to run it, so Melson and Hoover are quietly looking to deal it away to the FBI or Homeland Security before we get caught in a scandal by the OIG or the media. Long time boot licker and Friend of Billy, Joe Riehl, the guy who for years been the point man in gutting our explosives jurisdiction, has been given marching orders to help cover up things in Alabama, was made acting chief of the facility and as a reward, he has been promised the new senior executive job in Quantico at TEDAC, and he has been heard in the halls of HQ telling people ATF "owes him" for doing the bidding of Chait, Boxler, Martin, Carter, Domenech, Hoover and Melson for years on explosives.

Martin thinks he is a real funny guy telling people in HQ that we can pay for explosives by turning the Alabama center into a bed and breakfast, or selling pies.  It would not be so funny if Martin didn't have a record for selling us out and taking care of his CI classmates like Riehl.


Can anyone out there confirm any or all of this?

Hey Noreaster, I don't know about all of what you wrote, but our division sent the Chait memo around so lots of people have it.  In all my years, I have never seen the budget in such a sorry state.  I don't know what we are going to be able to spend money on this year, but we are on a tuna fish diet for sure.  If you ask me, HQ seems to be running scared, and I bet with good reason.  

Did anyone see the message from ATF's CFO the other day about not talking about ATF budget documents?  My guess is these are the ones from OMB which basically are where an agency gets a day or two to respond to a cut proposal and that OMB recommended cutting our nuts off on explosives, NIBIN, PCS and alot of the other stuff you mentioned and that other posters are talking about.  It is never a good sign when the Crystal Palace spends more time trying to stop leaked doomsday budget reports then fighting for our jurisdiction, manning up, and making some damn decisions.  Of course it is easier to blame the agents and inspectors instead of Melson, Hoover, Chait, Martin and Boxler holding themselves accountable for doing their job, and not through some BS course on professionalism so I know what ties to wear, if my heels are too high, or to preach  about having sex in Las Vegas with some bar hottie.  Maybe we can distract people with a TV show about an ATF "Lassie" or do a special about facial sketching to solve Jack the Ripper?  Yeah, I bet that would get people thinking happy thoughts instead of wondering if we are going to get cut up like a skinny turkey.

The word from CES in the field and some in HQ is that NCETR Alabama is dead and the poor guys down there know it.  Who knows what Boxler and Martin have been doing running off to private executive meetings with the FBI about explosives, NCETR, TEDAC and the USBDC.  Don't forget Super Chief Joe Riehl takes a tour down to Alabama to smile and lie every once and a while, and he does a good job at that. He and his school mates from CI (Boxler and Martin) are protecting him big time.  Please Joe, act very suprised when they hand you the TEDAC job in a few weeks or months.  It won't make any difference ATF is violating OPM rules with more preselection, who applies or anything else, because it is all about Billy taking care of his hatchet man, even though he is a huge player in our explosives mission slipping away to the FBI and DHS. And didn't Joe look really good on the ATF website with SAC Stoop, Chait and the NRT touring a fire scene?  Why were you there Joe? You aren't the acting SAC anymore, your division was chopped up and people wondering what the hell they are doing. Aren't you supposed to be the NCETR Chief of our new and expensive facility?  This is all about image and trying hard to make Joe look like a senior executive, although Potter screwed him pretty good by not leaving Philly.

The time is close where the whole mess may come apart.  Check out the website Sipsey Street Irregulars - don't care much for their politics but it's scary how much stuff is already out there on ATF, our internal politics, and if I were to place a bet I think that Senator Shelby, OIG or the press is going to light us up soon, and a bunch of people on the 5th floor are going to scramble like roaches from the lights. The only hope I have is that working agents and people with some integrity will be fine wherever we end up in a few years (or months).

[ProConfesso]

oh yea, p.s, and he brings his wife to the super bowl when its in FL too. its a cover for a free vacation.

[ProConfesso]

yea, and the golfing PIO who goes to the PGA event and drags along some brick agents to watch the grass grow. pathetic

[Patriot]

When will someone determine that we are not needed at major events. We are sometimes used as free security, but honestly, any serious criminal act at an major event will be viewed as an act of terrorism and not our jurisdiction.Local offices should be capable of resonding to a request for assistance as needed.  Someone please ask how many ATF K9's will be at the Super Bowl and for how long and most imprtantly, at what cost?

[apostate]

Rogue, on 29 December 2010 - 09:30 PM, said:

Word from Los Angeles is Paul Vanderplow from HQ will be coming out to the Rose Bowl.  He came last year (paid by ATF) so I guess he is needed again this year (marked for sarcasm).

I guess JT has a friend in the big building after all.

All I can say is wow! We have no money for basic required training, ammunition, investigative travel, car repairs and ATF is paying upper Mgt types to party in California and Las Vegas ( SHOT show) and God knows where else!!!

[Rogue]

Word from Los Angeles is Paul Vanderplow from HQ will be coming out to the Rose Bowl.  He came last year (paid by ATF) so I guess he is needed again this year (marked for sarcasm).

I guess JT has a friend in the big building after all.

[abteilung]

Doc Holiday, on 25 December 2010 - 07:53 AM, said:

Its true.Our leaders don't think past their own immediate personal gain. They have mismanaged virtually every aspect and every directorate through Waste, Fraud and Abuse, Gross mismanagement with virtually no accountability. They have and continue to personally prosper while vital programs and public safety suffer. We have Congress' attention and will continue to press the media to challenge the illegal, unethical and corrupt practices that are happening right before our eyes. Hopefully it won't be too little, too late.

Hey, but all that counts is that we're all taking all that on-line training courses, especially Professionalism [better known by management as Do as we say, not as we do].

[useful idiot]

Just an observation by a former ATF agent:

Word on the street is another agency in DOJ is making sure this video is floating around Congress during the current budget discussions. And the rumor is they are currently considering taking away your firearms jurisdiction too after seeing this and are  taking into account the fall-out after the recent ATF Gun Runner fiasco. All that hard, dangerous, dedicated work by ATF street  agents targeting the most dangerous "worst of the worst"  criminals over the years for the agency wasted.




Good job am sure he gave himself  a big bonus this year.

Merry Christmas ATF

[Doc Holiday]

Its true.Our leaders don't think past their own immediate personal gain. They have mismanaged virtually every aspect and every directorate through Waste, Fraud and Abuse, Gross mismanagement with virtually no accountability. They have and continue to personally prosper while vital programs and public safety suffer. We have Congress' attention and will continue to press the media to challenge the illegal, unethical and corrupt practices that are happening right before our eyes. Hopefully it won't be too little, too late.  

Noreaster, on 24 December 2010 - 10:16 PM, said:

Doc

Heard from some buddies over the last couple days that we are now in big trouble in the explosives field.  Here is the basic story I heard: The federal Office of Management and Budget filed a report looking to cut out our explosives work and claims we just duplicate what the FBI does except for our regulatory work, and also said we should have our money taken away for NIBIN, state and local training and PCS moves.  I also heard Chait sent a memo to the SACs in the last few days saying we need to start cutting NRT, SRT, travel, conferences, office supplies, cars, hiring, the new Glocks, and all state and local training.

Allegedly our huge new explosives building in Alabama has no money to operate and no people to run it, so Melson and Hoover are quietly looking to deal it away to the FBI or Homeland Security before we get caught in a scandal by the OIG or the media. Long time boot licker and Friend of Billy, Joe Riehl, the guy who for years been the point man in gutting our explosives jurisdiction, has been given marching orders to help cover up things in Alabama, was made acting chief of the facility and as a reward, he has been promised the new senior executive job in Quantico at TEDAC, and he has been heard in the halls of HQ telling people ATF "owes him" for doing the bidding of Chait, Boxler, Martin, Carter, Domenech, Hoover and Melson for years on explosives.

Martin thinks he is a real funny guy telling people in HQ that we can pay for explosives by turning the Alabama center into a bed and breakfast, or selling pies.  It would not be so funny if Martin didn't have a record for selling us out and taking care of his classmates like Riehl.


Can anyone out there confirm any or all of this?

[Noreaster]

Doc Holiday, on 24 December 2010 - 06:22 PM, said:

Concerned Sup,
You will retire an ATF agent. Those not already in the KMA probably won't. And its not rumor or word on the street. DAD Steve Martin is one of the architechts of the plan to giv e up the BDC. He is and always has been a one trick pony. Riehl let explosives go unattended. Ask any EEO or CES, Riehl should have been removed yrs ago. Too late now. Read previous posts, the field is livid about Martins apathy regarding explosives. We were once the guys and gals that Russia called to oversee their investigations. IT is truly a travesty what our leaders have NOT done in the name of their own career advancement.

Doc

Heard from some buddies over the last couple days that we are now in big trouble in the explosives field.  Here is the basic story I heard: The federal Office of Management and Budget filed a report looking to cut out our explosives work and claims we just duplicate what the FBI does except for our regulatory work, and also said we should have our money taken away for NIBIN, state and local training and PCS moves.  I also heard Chait sent a memo to the SACs in the last few days saying we need to start cutting NRT, SRT, travel, conferences, office supplies, cars, hiring, the new Glocks, and all state and local training.

Allegedly our huge new explosives building in Alabama has no money to operate and no people to run it, so Melson and Hoover are quietly looking to deal it away to the FBI or Homeland Security before we get caught in a scandal by the OIG or the media. Long time boot licker and Friend of Billy, Joe Riehl, the guy who for years been the point man in gutting our explosives jurisdiction, has been given marching orders to help cover up things in Alabama, was made acting chief of the facility and as a reward, he has been promised the new senior executive job in Quantico at TEDAC, and he has been heard in the halls of HQ telling people ATF "owes him" for doing the bidding of Chait, Boxler, Martin, Carter, Domenech, Hoover and Melson for years on explosives.

Martin thinks he is a real funny guy telling people in HQ that we can pay for explosives by turning the Alabama center into a bed and breakfast, or selling pies.  It would not be so funny if Martin didn't have a record for selling us out and taking care of his classmates like Riehl.


Can anyone out there confirm any or all of this?

[Doc Holiday]

Concerned Sup,
You will retire an ATF agent. Those not already in the KMA probably won't. And its not rumor or word on the street. DAD Steve Martin is one of the architechts of the plan to giv e up the BDC. He is and always has been a one trick pony. Riehl let explosives go unattended. Ask any EEO or CES, Riehl should have been removed yrs ago. Too late now. Read previous posts, the field is livid about Martins apathy regarding explosives. We were once the guys and gals that Russia called to oversee their investigations. IT is truly a travesty what our leaders have NOT done in the name of their own career advancement.

Concernedsup, on 24 December 2010 - 07:16 AM, said:

Word is that some elements of the 5th floor want to give away the USBDC and whatever explosive lead we have not only in the States but in Mexico too!!!! I am KMA but would like to retire as an ATF agent versus another agency. What more are we going to give away?

[Concernedsup]

Word is that some elements of the 5th floor want to give away the USBDC and whatever explosive lead we have not only in the States but in Mexico too!!!! I am KMA but would like to retire as an ATF agent versus another agency. What more are we going to give away?

[Zorro]

How many know good people who are willing to step up and move up?  I personally know 2 people that stepped down from supervision; beaten into submission by an abusive 15 and they are the type who SHOULD be leading - honest, smart, know the book, and common sense when it comes to bad actors vs. inadvertent violators.  I have doubts they will ever try it again because of the rotten treatment they got.  Our loss.

[ISpy]

I don't know that we have to go outside the Agency.  Remember what happened when we got Truscott.    and in my opinion Magaw wasn't much better.  Both were too Impressed with themselves, appearances and Pomp and Circumstance.

We have some great people from within.  Problem is they are below the SAC level and won't play the games of the powers that be so they won't jump up to the top.  The layer of scum is too thick for them to penetrate at this point unless they want to be "Yes" men and just go along.

I had held out hope for Melson but like the Director of Waco days, he let those below him from LE run the ship and he just went along for the ride.  Now its too late for him and those directly beneath him have moved their pawn pieces up the table so much that to find a Manager with true Ethics, Credibility, and the Mission in mind rather than a retirement job you would have to look down the chain quite a ways.

[apostate]

Doc Holiday, on 18 December 2010 - 09:55 AM, said:

That's the word on Potters UNpromotion. I haven't heard the exact number, but as usual the upper mangement team will bury it.We may be getting a copy of the award approval signed by Chait. The fact that Chait signed off on this is more than enough justification for the OIG to investigate this abuse of taxpayer funds.How many trackers, blackberrys, NIBIN machines, or udercover purchases would those funds have paid for? On a funny note, Potter actually alluded to the fact that he thought the CFO job was below such a storied law enforcement agent. I almost cried I laughed so hard. He's a poser, an obstructionist and NOT one ATF employee would describe him as anything but a bureaucrat and an empty suit. But I will bet he looked good in a Cadillac somebody else paid for.

Potter and Chait picking the remaining scraps off of the carcass that was once ATF. Next year no money in the budget for training, mission travel, auto repairs, inv's, office space ( Anchorage has no office) etc , etc.  I cannot even mention the words "respect", "character", "law enforcement" or "street agent" in the same sentence as these two. I am laughing too. This is true sign that the agency is done. ATF needs to spend what little money it has left to recruit some real managers with character and law enforcement experience from other successful agencies to get ATF back on track. The way this current group is screwing things up I would say we have less than a few years left as a viable agency.

[Doc Holiday]

Good thing Martin and crew weren't over at the FBI when they dropped the ball on FCI and other issues because his response just seems to be "cut and run". Don't fix it drop it. Is he even AWARE that we fought for 30 yrs to be recognized and respected for our explosives expertise? Apparently Congress thought we were pretty good too. They put it in our name AND gave us the resources to do it. God help us all when Mr. Martin and Melson and Hoover realize with all their neutrality act cases and Big T-IIIs, that NOW CBT and ICE are doing to our firearms jurisdiction what the FBI did to our explosives. Wake up!!!!! Fight for our existence, don't just give it away. Steve, we aint the dope cops.

[Iceman]

Go to the U.S.Senate hearings website. There you will see a letter of support for Traver from WIFLE, signed by none other than Margie Moore. If I were pulling for him, he just lost me. This is not a glaring sign of an ethical and accouintable future for OUR BUREAU. But I guess she does know Mexico better than some. So we have an endorsement by Margie Moore and "Stevo Martin" (let me give away our explosives juridiction) as a DD. Steve have you hit your head? We were the best. Other couintries asked for our expertise. Can you say ONE TRICK PONY? Great job. You've wasted millions on DOPE cases and presume to know this Bureau? Please just go away.

[Doc Holiday]

That's the word on Potters UNpromotion. I haven't heard the exact number, but as usual the upper mangement team will bury it.We may be getting a copy of the award approval signed by Chait. The fact that Chait signed off on this is more than enough justification for the OIG to investigate this abuse of taxpayer funds.How many trackers, blackberrys, NIBIN machines, or udercover purchases would those funds have paid for? On a funny note, Potter actually alluded to the fact that he thought the CFO job was below such a storied law enforcement agent. I almost cried I laughed so hard. He's a poser, an obstructionist and NOT one ATF employee would describe him as anything but a bureaucrat and an empty suit. But I will bet he looked good in a Cadillac somebody else paid for.

[Epic Failure]

Any truth to the talk that Potter's "personal reasons" for leaving HQ and going back to Philly are that Potter and Chait got caught in a scheme were Chait arranged to bring Potter to HQ as an AD and promised him a $50K bonus to accept in exchange for Potter vacating the Philly SAC job to open it for Chait?  Word is that Melson found out about the bonus and not only said no but, f**k no!

If they even dreamed that this was going to go unchecked they should have woken up and punched each other in the mouth.  If it is true, and I'm not saying it is, it's just the talk on the street, then how long before we can expect indictments?

[Doc Holiday]

Typical ATF manager mentality. Close HQ copmpletely, ATF still thrives. Shut down the field, and the is NO ATF. Congrats to the Chicago Agents By this I mean working agents, not Cadillac driving ASACs.

[onesparkz]

An article ran today in a Chicago newspaper that made mention of some extraordinary work done by ATF agents.  The article is a brief explanation of an ongoing RICO trial.  The case was made by super creative ATF agents.  

Now the problem.  Chicago's "genius" management staff (sarcasm) did everything within their powers to make sure this case did not happen and put up roadblocks the entire way through the investigation.  Now some good pub comes out and those same geniuses (again sarcasm) are patting themselves on the back for their expert management and ability to "think outside the box".

No way.  You guys were cowards who represent everything bad about the leadership of the Bureau of Alchol, Tobacco and No.

Kudos to the agents who made you look good in spite of yourselves.  Win or lose the case experienced agents who know what they are doing fought through the harrassment and made a case that no other agency could have put together.  Nice work ATF agents.  To those that know, the credit is yours and yours alone.  The agents always save the day and the weak-kneed naysaying bosses always take the credit.  And thus, the circle of life at ATF.

http://www.chicagotr...7.column?page=1

[Doc Holiday]

Thanks for the news Valkrie. Just what we wanted to hear, yet more pre-selections of the most uninspiring leaders possible. Doesn't it make sense to move Riehl though? Since their is NO explosive program to speak of after Riehl has sold the farm. That program has been decimated under his "Leadership". It aint like Arson and Explosives is going to be advanced under Martin or Billy. Martin doesn't get the importance of Arson and Explosives to our very existence. Where's Browning gonna be a SAC?

[Valkyrie]

8. TEDAC Deputy Director vacancy is due to be announced immediately replacing Bobby Browning who just made SAC.  Word is this one was done for Joe Riehl, rushed in record time with a slot taken from some DAD job in HQ they are not gooing to fill.  As the guy who has single handedly screwed up our explosives program for years, and a Friend of Billy/Friend Of Martin/Friend of Boxler this will help poor Joey Bag of Donuts avoid having to move for the SES job he has been promised.  Great move Ken and Billy, we'll all be watching for the announcement.

[Thor God of Thunder]

Thor God of Thunder, on 20 November 2010 - 06:38 AM, said:

With the nomination of Mr. Traver to the directorship of ATF, there is a pre-confirmation play of musical chairs and rumors.  Here are just a few:

1.   Mr. Traver will not be confirmed by the Senate.
2.   Mr. Chait will be SAC, Philadelpia (old)
3.   Mr. Domenech will be leaving ATF in Decemember, 2010. (old)
4.   Mr. Hoover will be SAC, Washington (old)
5.   Mr. Martin will be Deputy Director
6.   Mr. Sweetow is on the short list for SAC, Philadelphia.

Some of these rumors are not new but seem to have gotten new life with the nomination of Mr.Traver.

Just wanted to update some of the rumors that I posted before

1.  Mr. Traver will not be confirmed by the Senate. Traver's nomination was not an option, according to some, who are now running for cover .

2.   Mr. Chait will be SAC, Philadelpia (old) Update: It is said that Mr. Chait is upside down on his home and he is unable to sell without losing the shirt off his back.

3.   Mr. Domenech will be leaving ATF in Decemember, 2010. (old but TRUE).  There are news reports where Mr. Domencech is announced to be the new Sheriff of New York City. In those news reports, he was portrayed as a WHISTLEBLOWER.  They conveniently left out the fact that he was a PREDATOR way before he became a whistleblower.  Many are happy that he is gone and the healing can finally begin.

4.   Mr. Hoover will be SAC, Washington (old)

5.   Mr. Martin will be Deputy Director

6.   Mr. Sweetow is on the short list for SAC, Philadelphia.  Mr. Sweetow should be removed for his constant lies to the SAC, Atlanta and his retaliation against employees and supervisors in the Atlanta Field Division.  I doubt an OIG investigation has been opened into this.

NEW

7. Eleaner Loos has been reassigned to Litigation.  Confirmed.
I will provide any additional great rumors that I get.

[ProConfesso]

the street agent is always the last to know..and be properly trained
http://carolynmccart...155&itemid=1282
see the Gun Trafficking Protection Act

[Epic Failure]

Doc Holiday, on 26 November 2010 - 10:00 AM, said:

To Jaybird, one word of advice. Show all the Compassion, Loyalty, and Dedication to them that they have shown to you and the rest of the field, NONE. No Mercy. They sent NO agents to your house after the fire and actually leveraged it to retaliate against you. Make them answer the hard questions. You guys HAVE to expose the unethical practices of our current leadership. Then publish those depos. Godspeed Brother. Sidenote,Congress IS watching. Remember, they cannot coverup perjury, sealed depo or not. You have a duty to report.

Why is DOJ continuing to defend this case?  We know why ATF is.  They can't admit mistakes.  Everybody in America knows what happened here, with the possible exception of Holder.  Taking sworn testimony from these guys has got to be like clubbing baby seals at this point.  This is on Traver's watch now.

[Doc Holiday]

To Jaybird, one word of advice. Show all the Compassion, Loyalty, and Dedication to them that they have shown to you and the rest of the field, NONE. No Mercy. They sent NO agents to your house after the fire and actually leveraged it to retaliate against you. Make them answer the hard questions. You guys HAVE to expose the unethical practices of our current leadership. Then publish those depos. Godspeed Brother. Sidenote,Congress IS watching. Remember, they cannot coverup perjury, sealed depo or not. You have a duty to report.

[adelgadoiis]

limestonenerd, on 24 November 2010 - 08:06 PM, said:

Had to add this.  Just came off the presses with Jay talking to his alma mater before they play the #1 team in the country this week.

If you could stand in front of this year’s team and address them before the Oregon game, what advice would you give them regarding your experience against USC in 1981?
You have absolutely nothing to lose so just let it all out. Take risks. Be reckless. Play like wild men. You wanna be the champ? Then you gotta knock out the guy with the belt. So punch him in the head as hard as you can as many times as possible and live with what happens.

We are pulling for you.  Especially hope you lay it on JT.  Major malfunction there.

Go for the gusto.  Good luck.

[limestonenerd]

limestonenerd, on 21 November 2010 - 11:01 PM, said:

Dobyns is taking more depositions this week.  Ronnie Carter should be the best but Ford and Torres are also on the schedule.  These are all sealed for now but for how long, no one knows.  This joke of abuse has now spanned 4 directors all because Loos ramped this up to get her personal payback.  She should have picked on an agent who would roll over.

Had to add this.  Just came off the presses with Jay talking to his alma mater before they play the #1 team in the country this week.

If you could stand in front of this year’s team and address them before the Oregon game, what advice would you give them regarding your experience against USC in 1981?
You have absolutely nothing to lose so just let it all out. Take risks. Be reckless. Play like wild men. You wanna be the champ? Then you gotta knock out the guy with the belt. So punch him in the head as hard as you can as many times as possible and live with what happens.

We are pulling for you.  Especially hope you lay it on JT.  Major malfunction there.

[limestonenerd]

limestonenerd, on 21 November 2010 - 11:01 PM, said:

Dobyns is taking more depositions this week.  Ronnie Carter should be the best but Ford and Torres are also on the schedule.  These are all sealed for now but for how long, no one knows.  This joke of abuse has now spanned 4 directors all because Loos ramped this up to get her personal payback.  She should have picked on an agent who would roll over.

Made a mistake.  The depositions are actually next week.

[limestonenerd]

Dobyns is taking more depositions this week.  Ronnie Carter should be the best but Ford and Torres are also on the schedule.  These are all sealed for now but for how long, no one knows.  This joke of abuse has now spanned 4 directors all because Loos ramped this up to get her personal payback.  She should have picked on an agent who would roll over.

[Thor God of Thunder]

With the nomination of Mr. Traver to the directorship of ATF, there is a pre-confirmation play of musical chairs and rumors.  Here are just a few:

1.   Mr. Traver will not be confirmed by the Senate.
2.   Mr. Chait will be SAC, Philadelpia (old)
3.   Mr. Domenech will be leaving ATF in Decemember, 2010. (old)
4.   Mr. Hoover will be SAC, Washington (old)
5.   Mr. Martin will be Deputy Director
6.   Mr. Sweetow is on the short list for SAC, Philadelphia.

Some of these rumors are not new but seem to have gotten new life with the nomination of Mr.Traver.

[Doc Holiday]

Can anyone confirm the following story posted on a blog site? Somebody tell me it aint so!!!!  Please.

You can add Andy Traver, in Chicago to that list of young, incompetent SAC's at the age of 40ish. Here is a recent example of his "leadership"! Chicago just held a Fantasy Agent Draft! They took approximately 75% of the Agents, only the ones located in the Chicago land area (because we can't afford to move anyone) and moved them from group to group based on their popularity with a Supervisor! They even had a pre-draft meeting where the Supervisors were told the rules and order of which they were to make their selections! The Supervisors were able to "protect" 1-2 of their favorite agents (read between the lines: good-old boy-club). The dry erase board went into overdrive as the Supervisors threw agents under the bus and argued with other Supervisors in-order to trade agents! It was the most unprofessional processes you can imagine. Traver threaten discipline on any Supervisor who leaked what actually went on inside the trades! Yet, Traver, his front office team and supervisors thought it was a great idea. At the same time, Traver had his Supervisors meeting where he basically tore up HQ's and showed his continued disdain and lack of respect for all his bosses. Yet, he wonders why not one of his management team respects him. For that matter, none of Andy's counterparts (SAC's) respects him. He leads by example...No interest in ATF nor any respect for bosses! If only the agents could get a dry erase board and select their Supervisors, ASAC's and SAC. I bet the only survivor would be the Supervisor who just returned from exile, Fargo North Dakota. If only someone in HQ's gave a damn about the sinking ship in Chicago, they would clear out the front office and all participating Supervisor in this fantasy draft!!

CAPTAIN JOHN MILLER, on 30 September 2010 - 05:39 PM, said:

Doc-
I hope that’s a rhetorical question.  Its Chicago! Just follow the money and favors that he has done for the friends of Obama and the former Senator himself.  Check the donations and contributions lists that are required to be filed under state and federal election laws.  Instead of ATF Director maybe they can make him Superintendant of the Chicago Police and take Martin with him.

[apostate]

Anyone know this guy's story?

More good press for the ATF

http://blog.clevelan...f_stealing.html