frogger

It is rumored that the Big Easy FD is at it again. Apparently, some inappropriate emails between a subordinate female employee and a certain regulatory manager have surfaced (by accident). Evidently, some people print out their emails and when that is done to a printer that others have access to, you run the risk of others seeing them. Supposedly the emails and other related information has been sent to the proper authority. I can only hope that a true investigation takes place. If this didn't involve a manager, you can bet IA would dig as deep as they could. But since this involves a manager, I imagine that it will be whitewashed. The only hope is that Issa, Grassley, and the rest of Congress strip the whitewash of this and many other things and deal with these out of control managers.

Congress and media-fast and furious is only something that has gained attention and momentum because of the physical lives it has destroyed. I urge you to did deeper and realize that retaliation and disregard for laws and regulation is the standard for ATF management at all levels not just at Headquarters. I am sure there are exceptions, but if they don't stand up for what is right, then they are just like the rest. HELP us.

I understand exactly what tiredofit is talking about. What a waste. Another way for management to get more of the tax payers money while we don't have the money to do our basic mission. Those in authority that read this site, do something about this broken system. Everyday we get more emails about new stuff to cut. It's to the point that we can't do anything! And what we can do is limited in nature! I know we are on a continuing resolution, meaning that we have the same budget money as FY10. There should be no way that we could be this far in the hole in January! Yeah I guess there is when the same incompetent managers keep doing the same incompetent things and those up the chain get all there bonuses and perks.

Think about it like this-the AUO that has been approved for the Industry Operations area supervisors and DIOs affects the Bureau and the taxpayers like this: Area Supervisors are GS-14 and DIOs are GS-15. So at the minimum (Step 1), the 10% AUO for each area supervisor is $9,669 and for DIO's it is $11,373. Those figures are based on the Rest of the US. We know that other localities are even more. In my FD there are 3 area supervisors and 1 DIO. So combined, the AUO for the FD is at a minimum $40,380. WOW-what a perk. Many people know there is 10% AUO for those positions, but they don't see the big picture:

Minimum levels based on Rest of U.S. and Step 1
1. 10% AUO for IO area supervisors: $9,669
2. 10% AUO for DIOs: $11, 373
3. 10% AUO for a typical Field Division (3 area supervisors, 1 DIO): $40,380
4. 10% AUO for typical Field Division X 23 Field Divisions: $928,470

AT A MINIMUM THIS WASTE AND ABUSE IS COSTING NEARLY A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR!

It's not a joke, I have seen the emails where it was discussed to add AUO for these positions just to entice applicants. Nobody would apply! While we have our measly 1.5%-2% COL frozen for at least 2 years, members of the club still get there 10% bonus-its not really administrative uncontrollable overtime.

Hear that sound? The toilet was flushed in about 2006, what you hear now is the sound of the bureau as it makes it's last few rounds around the bottom of the bowl!

I knew of this myself. Seems like the area sups and DIOs want to keep this quiet-no wonder, what a waste. I hope when Grassley and the Judiciary Committee hold their hearings, that they will reach out to "regular employees" that will tell the truth and expose the waste and abuse. There is not a reason in the world that AUO pay should be given in this manner. Manager's won't even give us " regular employees" comp time. They act like it comes out of their pockets-which are way too full with taxpayer money. CONGRESS-PLEASE DO SOMETHING!

How many DIOs seem to be out of controlll and appear to be totally self absorbed building their little fifedoms?????????

There has been several reported on here. Just because they work for the other side of ATF, they still have selfish egos that are way overblown.

Russell Vanderwerf, who was/is the DIO of the Houston FD, was arrested in December 2009 in New Orleans while there on official ATF business. He was actually taken into custody at the New Orleans FD office. Just google Russell Vanderwerf ATF-you will see all the details of the story (glory holes, craigslist, and random men in and out of his room at the Residence Inn across from the New Orleans FD office. I do know that he is still an employee of ATF. His is listed on all the DIO emails that go out. My sources in Houston say that he is not allowed in the office or be around employees, but works from home. There are others that officially "act" as the DIO while he draws his GS/15 pay in the comfort of his home.

Would anyone outside of management be treated this way? No. They would be fired. End of Story.

David Stroethide, currently the DIO of the New Orleans FD, drove a g-car around like it was his own for about a year while he was acting as an area supervisor in the New Orleans FD. He used the g-car to travel at will to his home in Oklahoma City (he was acting in Little Rock, AK)and even took it on family vacations. How was he punished? He was promoted to the DIO position in New Orleans FD. I guess he figured it was so easy to get away with, that it would be even easier in the Big Easy! At least he was able to get away from someone he couldn't stand in the Dallas FD-Megan Bennett. They probably have put all adverse feelings in the past since they are now equals and need to focus on building their own individual kingdoms. Probably even share emails of the latest tactics to retaliate against subordinates.

Would anyone outside of management be treated this way? No. They would be fired. End of Story.

The list could go on and on. I encourage others to tell the truth. Get it out here so that those viewing this website can see the truth.

Taxpayers, Fellow Workers, Representatives, Senators, Congressional Staffers-please do what you can to reign in this out of control Bureau and quit letting management use taxpayer money and the peoples Bureau to get all they can for themselves.

As a human being, this disappoints me. As an employee this angers me. As a taxpayer-this pisses me off.