Hilltopper,

That is insane. How is such an environment allowed to thrive in a federal law enforcement agency? It is truly embarrassing. It does go to what we have been chatting about here over the past few days. Not only does the current system allow for Princes of the City at the GS 14 level, but it allows for impenetratable cliques. If the agents who refuse to get along faced being moved to seperate corners of the US at some point in their career, then they would care more about learning how to get along with others. With each passing day, I believe it more and more.

I also would love to see some of the failures in this agency demoted or publicly criticized for bad acts. Instead they are brought into HQ, sometimes with a more impressive title. Then they later reemerge emboldened by their promotion believing that they never screwed up at all. At all pay grades from GS5 to DD, punishment should be swift, fair and equal. It's leadership 101 taught at any NCO school.

And the hits just keep on coming. So Mr. Jones got embarrassed by Chairman Issa about transferring Zapor to Phoenix after failing miserably as SAC Minn. and DAD. So after only 9 months, they are demoting Attaberry and transferring him BACK to Phx. Lets do the math.........3 x $150000 per move for 9 months of performance. And we wonder WHY there is no continuity of leadership. Cudos to Mr. Jones for reversing a bad decision, but the musical bosses has to stop. NO ACCOUNTABILITY because none of these guys stay in one place.

Now add in the Chris Shaffer transfer back to HQ after 9 months in Atl. Same with Sweetow, you have to ask, "IS ANYONE THINKING THESE TRANSFERS THROUGH?" Remember, for all those being transferred with barely a year in place, someone needs to be transferred to back-fill their slots @$150000 per move.

Cleary they eased SAC Torres outta Tampa because Brandon(rumor has it) is leaving the DD slot to retire in Tampa. No demotion below SES, no loss of salary.

This ties in directly to what Heisenberg and Hilltopper are saying.Brandon clearly violated ALL of our standards and his conduct clearly contributed to EVERYONE losing their outside Bureau employment approval by letting Mc Mahon DBL dip. Yet NO PRB for him OR Torres. They allowed them to stay until they were forced to act because of the OIG report and Congressional oversight, and then??????????? They lose NOT ONE STEP. Does beg to question why Brandon would stick around after stepping down 3 levels. Doesn't that necessarily IMPACT his credibility and ability to lead? Guess not.

Mr. Jones thru Mr. Brandons memo suggests they get it. They want to hear from you. These posts should be compiled and sent directly to Director Jones. Unless of course everyone is afraid of reprisals as has been the case for his entire 2 yrs. Its time to clean up this mess Mr. Jones, but obviously listening to your executive staff isn't working or you wouldn't need to keep shuffling these guys. The field will KNOW when you are genuine when you quit protecting incompetents, and demand leadership. Until then, it appears to just be more smoke and mirrors.

Maybe trying to resolve some of these disputes in good faith, slowing the multiple transfers and demanding that your staff does their jobs, will enlist the 5000 field employees support.

Goodworker, If true, that's sad to hear. My experience with those guys was always pleasant, but to be honest I've never judged an agent or boss's character by their paperwork. To me, if they made cases, and put guys in jail as agents, and support their guys who are making cases as bosses, then I'm good with that. Too many of our leaders would not know a case if it fell in their lap. The closest thing they had to a CI was a Fax Machine.

Mr. Jones bragged to Congress that he replaced most of the leadership. NO he didn't. He shifted them. Musical chairs was all. Not one demotion beyond Bill Newell, and he got a sweet deal. The Director protected and is still protecting bad actors. This hurts the good managers and empowers the bad ones.

Here's a dumb question: Who are the good bosses in our agency and why? I have been reluctant to post on this site, despite having been a reader for years. Instead of always having destructive conversations here, why not let those who have the respect of their troops be recognized for good leadership. I don't care for bosses who are pushovers, or perfect, nor do I expect a boss who always agrees with me. I do expect a qualified and competent boss who has EXPERIENCE.

So, let's start. Who are the good guys out there who have promoted? Maybe we can encourage them to promote higher and be in positions to effect change. Besides, it'd be nice to have a break from the negativity on this site.

My votes: Carlos Canino, John D'Angelo,Pete McCarthy, Eric Hardin, Rick Serrano. All good guys who have experience and respect their troops.

We SHOULD support our good or even GREAT bosses. But they are NOT the ones who are creating to turmoil throughout the Bureau. It IS after-all their job. Doing your job and doing it properly is what we get paid for. Clearly the "good" bosses do not have any influence with the policy makers. Why are they not banding together to call out Brandon and Jones for their corrupt practices? Its great that we still have a few good bosses, BUT if they sit silent, what good does it do? Every time Jones protects clear and present corrupt and abusive practices, he lumps all the good bosses in with the bad. Unfortunately you have to pick a side. Stayin neutral and moving in lock step to advance ones own interests is NOT picking a side. The good bosses should be even MORE vocal about the protection of the Two Torres', the Crenshaws, the Riehls, the Mc Lemores, Gillettes, Newells, Voths, Mc Mahons and others. Its an epidemic, NOT an isolated incident.

Ok Julie Torres is finally retiring. Is it because she has violated so many policies and ethical standards? Or is it because B. Todd told her too?

I guess this falls under the Directors promise to CLEANUPATF. (no pun intended), and his promised accountability. Well not ACTUALLY accountability. Kind of FAUX accountability as in Newell, Gillette and Mc Mahon. Crenshaw and Mclemore fashion.

June 27, 2012 Julie Torres then AD of Internal Affairs signs off on Mc Mahons double dipping, followed up by Deputy Director Brandons signature on July 2, 2012. Since then, the OIG slammed these two officially.

Julie for her abuses was given a PAID move to Florida, retained her SES status and benefits, and NOW some 23 months later, (with the PRB surely nipping at her heels), she NOW retires just in the nick of time. Wow, what luck. But that begs to question, What about Brandon? Why is he still in charge?  Accountability Jones style. Bosses get a pass and continue the downward spiral, while field employees are exposed to the FULL wrath.

Good job Mr. Jones, this will surely reign in your bosses.

With all the unprecedented shootings in Chicago over the fourth, Why doesn't Mr. Jones and Brandon deploy their supercop Frontline surge program there? A surge by ATF is just the thing to end the gun violence. NOT

Wow. SAC Riehl, ASACs Delvecchio and Coffey are not satisfied running off 30 year veteran and along with 30 years of institutional knowledge. But now have threatened to "holdup" the Agents pension if the Agent does not submit to an exit interview. #1 thats illegal. #2 Its extortion and abusive and the very reason senior Agents are leaving in droves. And FINALLY, I would be careful trying to bully an Agent on their way out the door when they hold the very information that will surely have these 3 immediately relieved of duty. Just sayin fellas. Read your own policies. This Agent does not HAVE TO submit to your stupid exit interview.

Word is Coffey is retiring. That was a short stay in SF. Is this Turks answer to Riehl, and Coffeys coverup and internal non investigation of highly disturbing allegations forwarded directly to HQ and the OIG? The allegations include mishandling of AC funds, and compromising UC operations. Emails will be attached shortly where Turk states "I had no idea".

Has anyone seen ATFs response to Congress that were due yeaterday?

B. Todd and Brandon,

 

Your responses to the questions Congress asked on May 16 are due on Monday.  It will be most interesting to see how you choose to answer regarding the Internal Affairs Division, the Professional Review Board and the Bureau Deciding Official inquiries.

 

"We understand that ATF's Internal Affairs Division typically reviews all complaints and allegations involving ATF personnel and generates a report for ATF's Professional Review Board.  The Professional Review Board then assesses each finding of misconduct and determines whether to propose discipline or adverse action to ATF's deciding official."

 

     -Actual Excerpt from letter:

Congressional Letter Excerpt 05.16.14.jpg

 

congressional-letter-to-atf-5-16-14-2013.pdf

 

I know that you know that I know your dirty little secret.  I am not being coy.  I am not legally allowed to discuss this yet.  Numerous people with insider information and amidst your inner circle know as well.  Can you get all of them on board and organized to cover it up or blame me for it by Monday?  This is a very slippery slope. 

 

You guys have a nice weekend now.

 

J

LOOKING FOR ANSWERS

Can anyone make sense of the spinning promotion/demotion of the SAC who was removed from the Ohio field division. If we are tracking this, Oversight or Sen. Sensenbrenner should expand their inquiry. Congress is closely tracking CLEANUPATF. It has been said, "the media and CLEANUPATF are the only way they know whats going on inside ATF". Scary huh? If we are tracking correctly, this SAC was pulled unceremoniously due to a near mutiny. She was then sent to be SAC in Newark BUT NEVER TOOK THE REIGNS. Where was she and what was she doing? SIDENOTE, she would not have been removed without the efforts of the then Ombudsman. This angered MANY SACs who thought the Ombudsmans office had to much power.

After a period as a no show SAC in Newark, she was made an Assistant Director of HR. The after Cleanupatf OUTTED Mr. Jones for even CONSIDERING keep her as a manager, shes now going BACK to a SAC job in Newark. Is this correct? Is there soemthing thats been left out? You cant make this S@#$ up.

I have done a lot of complaining on this site.  Maybe more than my fair share.

 

Yesterday ATF and DOJ indicted an Aryan Brotherhood member who had recently issued a murder contract against me and a local police officer.

 

If I did not make mention of that here I would be a complete hypocrite and any crediblity I have to speak the truth or offer an opinion would be destroyed.

 

ATF and the leadership in Phoenix jumped on this one.  The management staff got fully behind the investigation.  The case agent built an incredibly powerful case behind his investigation.  He displayed the investigative skill and tenacity that will make any ATF agent proud.  The US Attorney's office is seeking a full prosecution.

 

With all my bitching it is wonderful to see good people do the right thing.  Me and my family thank all who worked on and supported this effort.  You have our respect and admiration.  This is the ATF I came to know and love.

One in a row.

Wow. SAC Riehl, ASACs Delvecchio and Coffey are not satisfied running off 30 year veteran and along with 30 years of institutional knowledge. But now have threatened to "holdup" the Agents pension if the Agent does not submit to an exit interview. #1 thats illegal. #2 Its extortion and abusive and the very reason senior Agents are leaving in droves. And FINALLY, I would be careful trying to bully an Agent on their way out the door when they hold the very information that will surely have these 3 immediately relieved of duty. Just sayin fellas. Read your own policies. This Agent does not HAVE TO submit to your stupid exit interview.

The below was posted today. If true it signals somebody got caught. Why has Ms. Boumans hasty departure not been posted on the ATF website as is consistent with those who leave under honorable conditions? No party? No fareful email? Really? After a dozen years at ATF and NADA? Why has no EEOC Executive at ATF been announced. Rumors swirl, but you are cautioned to not speculate. It could actually be a promotion inside DOJ or another law enforcement agency. No one would leave a prestigious position as a senior member of ATF Chief Counsels Office, unless of course THEY GOT CAUGHT. What will this do to all the cases she reviewed and decided as the head of ATFs EEOC office? In direct contradiction to the EEOCs MD 110? If lack of ethics or integrity or judicial misconduct led to her departure, why wasn't she fired. Again, speculation is not fact. Its not as if she left hastily for a job at the EPA or Library of Congress.  She has purposefully misled her bosses, and destroyed many hard working agents lives as "just doing her job". Then why is the music in the background playing ding dong the wicked witch is dead?

Jaime3

The vindictive hand bites one of its own.........AGAIN.

The vacant (Kiss of Death) position of Special Assistant to the Director position is once again filled. This less than prestigious position has previously been filled by those Executive managers who have failed so miserably, that they needed to be sat down in the broom closet pending their imminent retirement. Prior recipients include but are not limited to, Vanessa McLemore, Michael Bouchard, Joe Gordon and Bill Newell. Now add to the list, Richie Marianos. HOWEVER, this particular time out has an interesting twist. Prior recipients were placed in the position for breaking the law, violating major policies and shere incompetence. The story from insiders regarding the senior and decorated Marianos is that he confronted Director Jones personally with what Marianos believed was a total  and across the board lack or leadership on Jones part.

This begs to question: Is Mr. Jones leadership style ONLY to surround himself with YES MEN? And anyone who dissents, EVEN HIS INNER CIRCLE will be dealt with in Kim Jong Un fashion? Sorry Richie. Your loyalties have come into question in recent months. Perhaps you forgot where you came from. BUT, Cudos for having the balls to tell the Director what he needed to hear. If more of the Executive staff did this, we wouldnt be in the embarrasing position we are in today.

The attached document is LONG OVERDUE. Apparrently a group of Agents has finally become disguated by the pandering going on within ATF regrding special interest groups. It would appear that a class action is appropriate

READ THE BELOW STORY AND LET THE DIRECTOR AND DD AND ADFO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.

With proper leadership and experience, we are as capable as EVER of impacting violent crime and dismantling organizations. Get Chief counsel out of Operations, and stop blaming, vilifying and retaliating against Agents for doing their jobs and you'll be amazed how good our people are.

And the hits just keep on coming. We are opening a convenience store in ATF HQ to sell SWAG, while the Reno Office was virtually closed down because of gross mismanagement. The misrepresentations in this story are sickening. First, for Marvin Richardson to suggest that lack of man power was the reason for F and F is just plain silly and everybody knows its a lie. Not uncommon for Mr. Richardson who was found to have lacked candor on multiple occasions during his interviews with the OIG regarding the Dobyns threat investigation. Was he fired? NOPE, promoted.In fact, the table of penalties was changed almost overnight to remove the mandatory termination penalty to save him.

SAC Riehl, suggests that the Reno agents services were needed elsewhere and that's why Turk, Brandon and Jones decimated the most productive office in the SF field division. HMMMMMM, Im certain it had nothing to do with Both ASACs and the SAC being transferred and forced into retirement for GROSS mismanagement. For Mr. Riehl to make that statement KNOWING its not true, should cause pause at HQ and question why he was promoted to a SAC job at all after the failures under his direct command which led to a scathing indictment by the GAO of our most prestigious program, the NRT.

The NRA is the reason our productivity has tanked and we have to redirect our resources? REALLY? I thought it was because of the ABUSIVE and incompetent management staff between 2005 and present to include Martin, Gleysteen, Herkins, Vind, and Lee and their incompetent and retaliatory practices which caused..wait for it............wait for it........25 Agents in less than 5 years to leave the Agency NOT just the field division when they WEREN'T mandatory. When in our history have you EVER known that many Agents to leave what was once the finest law enforcement agency on the planet?

Unless and until we accept responsibility for our actions which have empowered the NRA and caused us to lose the trust of the American people and fellow law enforcement agencies, we will continue on this downward spiral.Senior agents and supervisors have and are leaving at an alarming rate, taking with them institutional knowledge that can NEVER be recovered. The average level of ATF experience in the San Francisco field Division is under 10 yrs. Who's going to train the newcomers?

 

http://www.sfgate.co...als-4950372.php

Someone should FOIA the ATF chief counsels office and the United States Attorneys Office to see how much they paid to order a psychiatrist FROM L.A. NOT San Francisco to do a psyche eval on SA Cefalu and in attempts to redirect the defense of their actions and reprisals. HUUUUUGGGGEEEEE dollars. The San Francisco United States attorney has spent alot of taxpayer funds to protect corrupt managers.

And the hits just keep on coming.

http://www.guns.com/...erations-video/

If oversight calls career U/C Agents who have had to do it the "right way", these hearings and OIG investigation is going to send shock-waves thru the NEW ATF. A long time U/C Operator made a statement recently that says it all. "Hell, if we could do all this crazy unethical shit back in the day, we could have tripled our arrests too".

Wondering out loud................What does it say when a Director cant find ONE competent Assistant Director INSIDE ATF to run our Congressional and media affairs? Is that why he canned Marianos? To make room for a friend from DOJ? OR, is he so distrusting of his own Executive staff that he wants to control the SPIN to Congress and the media.

Posted under another topic:

The information on Bouman's conduct is flooding in.  The corruption and cover ups of her across the board activity is out of control.  The people who have participated with her to hide it is going far and wide, up and down throughout the agency.  The best soap opera writer couldn't invent a story as good as this on their best day during their best fantasy.  Jones, you can hide her at the Library of Congress but not for long.  The USS Coverup is leaking bad and taking on water.

I will remind the Director, that the mere APPEARANCE of impropriety says it all. If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck etc etc etc.

B. Todd Jones - you have a challenging couple of weeks ahead.

 

When the F&F reports came out your response that it didn't take place on your watch.  Then you failed to enact any true discipline on those deserving of it.

 

When the IAD report came to you on my issues your response was that it didn't take place on your watch.  You sat on the findings and failed to enact any true discipline on those deserving of it.

 

Now the sting/storefront issues are before you.  Whether true or not, this happened on your watch.  I am assuming you will be called to testify before Congress.

 

Will you take any responsibility?  Will you accept any accountability?  Will you stand up for your agency?  Or, will you throw field agents onto the train tracks?  Will you blame agents for whatever mistakes are detailed to save yourself?  Will you blame those managers beneath you to keep yourself clean?  Will it be the "I didn't know", "I don't recall", "I was not aware of that" cover story we've seen from your office a million times before?  Will you defend those agents who are out there running the mostly highly efficient undercover operations our agency has ever seen or allow them to be sacrificed as well?  Will you let a few mistakes crush the program?  Will you make promises to end our uc ops to make nice-nice and gut the bureau's best weapon against violent crime?  Will it be everybody's fault but your own?  Will you just dispatch one of the flunkies who drinks from your Kool-Aid jar and have them take the blows for you?  Will you even bother to consult with the best-of-the-best operators we have to help them give you a fighting chance to protect them, and yourself for that matter?  Will you just answer the way Eric coaches you to?  Will you have ATF's attorneys try to get you out of the subpoena so you can avoid this all together?

 

Careful now.  If the rumors are true and that you've done nothing and said nothing to protect a potential Attorney General nomination, what you do and don't say could be critical.   Think about how the hide-and-duck strategy DOJ put Andy Traver under worked out for him.

 

Again, What did you know, When did you know it, What did you do about it.

 

I can only hope that Jason Chaffetz or Trey Gowdy gets to question you.  Your agency is watching.  Own up and protect it, or double talk to protect yourself.

 

All you have to do is speak to a couple of the very best uc operators in history.  They are right there under your nose.  They can ammo you up with an overwhelming amount of success stories and incredible achievements.  Trust them if you hope to survive this.

ATF HQ operates in a vacuum. Word is that Mr. Jones blew a gasket when he received a subpoena.We (the field) have offered countless times to help redirect our Bureau and help resolve the countless employee disputes. He has been here long enough to effect change but hasn't.  His leadership style of "shut the hell up or else", has proven ineffective. Shutting down effective programs because his managers cannot be trusted and are unskilled and inexperienced is not the answer.Placing more and more restrictions on Agents does NOT make our communities safer. Raising the bar and holding managers accountable WILL ensure proper procedure and sound practices. Remember Mr. Jones, we did this and did it VERY well for almost 40 years before you got here. You HAVE to ask yourself whats different now? Fast track promotions of yes men, failure of any fear of consequences by protecting the Newells, Gillettes, Mc Mahons, Zapors, Torres x2 and running off your senior most experienced Agents have all contributed to your short term failure as a Director. DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS is running our Bureau into the ground. Sir, WHY DIDNT YOU PULL THE PIN ON THE DOBYNS LAWSUIT AND SHOW YOU WERE A MAN WHO WOULD NOT ALLOW SUCH CONDUCT IN YOUR BUREAU?

 

Yet ANOTHER New Deputy Director

 

Will Director Jones fire Brandon and Torres for attempting to defraud the American tax payers and protect another one of their peers? Will our already inept management team be re-organized (shuffled to give the appearance of accountability) AGAIN? Or will Director Jones say " I did not know"? Perhaps the simpler question for House Oversight is "WHAT DO YOU KNOW"?

 

To clarify.

OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT

   The NEW policy regarding outside employment can ONLY be characterized as petty and short sighted. This pattern is completely consistent with Director Jones and Brandon' shortsightedness and petty use of their power. Remember, just because you can do something DOESN'T mean you should.

     Because Deputy Director. Brandon and then AD Julie Torres chose to completely disregard the outside Bureau employment policy authorizing FORMER Deputy Director Bill McMahons outside Bureau employment on a FULL TIME basis, thereby allowing him to double dip. Congress rightfully so, demanded answers. Torres took a demotion in title ONLY, and Brandon suffered NO CONSEQUENCES for allowing for the blatant misappropriation of taxpayer funds to assist Fast and Furious Bill find a safe landing since he was going to be terminated

     Add on the decision to counter-sue Special Agent Dobyns for outside employment THE AGENCY APPROVED, in another flagrant misuse of agency policies to punish.

     SO, as is consistent with ALL of Director Jones NON-decisions (Shut down cigarette cases because there were issues, shutdown storefronts because there were issues)(God help us all if issues arise with adopted cases) since he arrived. BECAUSE OUR EXECUTIVE STAFF AND CHIEF COUNSELS OFFICE DOES NOT POSSES THE INTELLECT TO PROBLEM SOLVE AND MAKE SALIENT AND COGENT ADJUSTMENTS TO POLICIES.....NO OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT.

     Worth repeating, we had all better worry if issues arise from arresting felons with guns, because we know what Director Jone' response will be. This is very poor leadership and will only ensure a total lack of faith, confidence and RESPECT for Director Jones.

Washington — After running nearly 40 undercover storefront stings in the last five years, the ATF's deputy director says no such operations are now underway and improvements in oversight have been made in the wake of botched operations nationwide.

Deputy Director Thomas E. Brandon testified Thursday before the House Judiciary's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations, and acknowledged significant deficiencies in undercover storefront stings. He said there was no justification for having the wrong people charged, as happened in Milwaukee, or the lack of outside cover teams to ensure armed felons didn't leave.

He called locating an undercover gun-buying operation in Portland, Ore., across the street from a middle school "a mistake" and said it "wasn't great judgment" for agents there to pay two teens to get tattoos depicting the fake storefront's logo of a giant squid smoking a joint.

He said the young men requested the tattoos and agents tried to talk them out of it — testimony that conflicts with the account of events described in court by the prosecuting attorney.

Brandon also told members of the subcommittee, which is chaired by U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), that undercover storefront stings remain a "valuable investigative technique" when managed properly. He said the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives recently created a manual for how to properly run undercover storefronts — the first of its kind — and will be training agents on proper methods.

He said the ATF has conducted 37 undercover storefront operations since 2009. He called them "resource intensive" but did not disclose how much they cost. Most of the troubled stings took place before B. Todd Jones became head of the agency, he said.

Jones was appointed as acting director of the ATF in August 2011, while he worked simultaneously as U.S. attorney for the District of Minnesota. He was confirmed by the Senate as director of the ATF in July 2013.

Thursday's hearing was one of two planned on flawed storefront operations nationwide uncovered by a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation.

In his opening remarks, Sensenbrenner called the Milwaukee sting an "abysmal failure."

"To say that the operation was extremely flawed would be a vast understatement," he said.

"This doesn't appear to be one operation gone bad but a systemic problem plaguing the ATF," he added. "After Operation Fast and Furious we were told numerous times that changes were coming to the ATF under the new leadership. I certainly hope this operation and others like it are not indicative of those changes because they aren't changes for the better, at all."

And, Sensenbrenner noted, the Milwaukee operation began several months after Jones became acting director of the agency.

He also criticized the ATF for not disclosing the troubles to members of Congress who oversee the agency.

"I'd like to know why I found out about this from my hometown newspaper," he said.

Brandon apologized and said he, too, learned of many of the problems from the Journal Sentinel stories.

The Journal Sentinel found the agency used mentally disabled people to promote operations and then arrested them on drug and gun charges; opened storefronts close to schools and churches, boosting their arrest numbers and penalties; and attracted juveniles with free video games and alcohol.

Agents paid inflated prices for guns, which led to people buying weapons at stores and selling them to undercover agents hours later, in some cases for nearly three times what they paid. In addition, agents allowed armed felons to leave their fake stores and openly bought stolen goods, spurring burglaries in surrounding neighborhoods.

Brandon told members of the subcommittee the agency has since developed methods to spot "trends" and track whether guns are coming from stores and has drafted policies on outside cover teams.

He said the ATF did not target people with mental disabilities.

U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, wondered "whether these operations attracted more crime than they prevented," asking Brandon if he considered a ratio of one-in-six flawed operations to be "successful" — considering the Journal Sentinel found troubles in all of the half-dozen stings it deeply investigated. Goodlatte sought assurance from Brandon that there aren't others marred with similar foul-ups.

Brandon responded, "With the information I have right now, I would say that." He added the Department of Justice inspector general is looking at the issue.

U.S. Rep. Robert Scott (D-Va.) criticized the agency for its lack of oversight of undercover storefronts, calling the failures "embarrassing and at times dangerous to public safety." Scott aimed many of his questions at whether agency officials believe they have adequate gun laws.

Nobody on the subcommittee addressed the issue of accountability or if any agents involved in foul-ups had been punished.

The ATF is facing increasingly intense scrutiny for the operations from members of both parties in Congress and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz announced last week he is investigating ATF storefront stings in four cities — Milwaukee; Wichita, Kan.; Pensacola, Fla.; and St Louis — to see if the operations put the public at risk. U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) called for the investigation, calling the ATF tactics "totally inexcusable."

In Milwaukee, the operation's lead undercover agent had three of his guns, including a machine gun, stolen from his car. The machine gun remains missing. Milwaukee police disclosed this week that a second ATF gun, a 9mm handgun stolen from the agent's car, also has not been recovered.

The agency launched an internal investigation into the Milwaukee sting that confirmed the findings of the Journal Sentinel report. But in a briefing with congressional staffers, ATF officials "were adamant" that the problems in the Milwaukee case were isolated.

The Journal Sentinel later exposed similar problems in stings from Pensacola, Fla., to Portland, Ore.

Through a dozen federal Freedom of Information Act requests, the Journal Sentinel asked the agency for information such as how much the operations cost, how many stings have been run nationwide and what the rules are for agents keeping guns in cars.

In denying release of information about gun storage rules, the agency said releasing such information would make "every agent a potential armed robbery victim."

This week, the agency released reports on ATF guns that were lost or stolen in the past five years, revealing that agents' guns were left under car seats, in bathroom stalls, on an airplane and on the top of vehicles.

Draconian is the word you are looking for. How is it????? THAT

Mr. Jones and Brandon do not see the impropriety of Rachel Bouman, being the EEOC Administrative executive director for ATF, WHILE still acting in her capacity litigating cases and advising supervisors in the field. Does he think we are all STUPID? Remember, SHE decides which of your allegations are accepted for investigation. And she is protecting her communications based on Atty Client Privilege. Come On Mr. DIRECTOR.

Mr. Brandon et al. make a HUGE exception to the outside employment agreement for McMahon in exchange for his silence no doubt, but can't make an exception for Jon Dodson after they left him hanging in the wind and in some cases attacked him during Fast and Furious?

How is it that ONE of the first things Mr. Jones did upon taking the helm as the ACTING Director was form a Field Agent Advisory Panel which he touted to the media and Se. Grassley and Chairman Issa, BUT almost instantly upon being confirmed, the previous member are going to be removed and the FAAP as a viable mechanism of communication between the ALL KNOWING HQ Executive staff and the field, is now lame duck and being disregarded completely?

Smoke and Mirrors. Not ALL the threats in the world, not all the free leadership books or playing cards will encourage the field to close the gaps or follow this sort of "leadership". Respect and loyalty are EARNED, NOT demanded.