Lawmakers finally subpoena ATF for documents in misconduct probe
by: jim kouri | published: 03 30, 2014
U.S. House of Representatives' lawmakers on Wednesday evening subpoenaed the scandal-prone Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for "any and all documents" related to that agency's alleged misconduct in a national undercover operation including its activities in Operation Fearless Distributing.
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., the current chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, sent ATF's director the committee's subpoena because of the ATF’s lack of transparency in its nationwide storefront sting operations and its alleged stonewalling of a probe into accusations of misconduct and abuse by the agency responsible for enforcing federal gun laws.
According to the subpoena's cover letter and news reports, agents with the ATF carried out storefront sting operations throughout the country and allegedly "utilized deplorable tactics including exploiting mentally disabled individuals to generate business and later arresting them, setting up storefronts near schools, and even losing high-powered firearms.
“After more than a year of promised cooperation, multiple letters to you, and several unfulfilled document requests, I have no choice today but to issue the enclosed subpoena to compel the production of documents relevant to the Committee’s investigation,” Chairman Issa wrote in his cover letter to ATF Director B. Todd Jones.
According to Rep. Issa and GOP members of his committee, the congressmen first heard about Operation Fearless Distributing, a storefront operation in Milwaukee, Wisc., from media reports in January 2013.
The operation is believed to be a result of President Barack Obama's and Attorney General Eric Holder's desire to control ownership of firearms and ammunition by American citizens, according to an Examiner news story.
News reports shed a bright light on the accusation that the far-reaching Operation Fearless was poorly managed. For example, there is evidence that close to $40,000 in merchandise and three guns were stolen from ATF agents during the operation. The stolen items shockingly included a fully-automatic rifle.
ATF officials, after stonewalling a House probe for months, finally briefed congressional staffers claiming that storefront operations were limited to only the city of Milwaukee. But it was soon discovered that the ATF officials were being deceptive and in fact used storefront stings in other U.S. cities.
According to Issa, the ATF agents even manipulated a mentally disabled man to work at their storefront.
The Oversight Committee's subpoena orders ATF officials to provide videos, audiotapes, written reports, emails and other communications regarding Operation Fearless Distributing, as well as the Monitored Case Program. It also requires that ATF to provide operational plans and investigative reports for the undercover storefronts throughout the U.S. Issa also required the ATF to turnover the agency's policies for undercover storefront operations.
add a comment
action items!
The Tennessee Republican Assembly Joins Resolution Against Sen Alexander's National Internet Sales Tax Mandate
03 31, 2013
Republican Leaders in Pennsylvania Hold the Key to School Choice Reform
05 29, 2011
Tell Your Representative to Vote YES on H.R. 1229 Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act
05 29, 2011
Stop The Internet Sales Tax
05 13, 2011
Ask Sen. McConnell to Appoint Sen. DeMint to Senate Finance Committee
05 13, 2011
popular articles
B. HUSSEIN OBAMA: 'I will stand with the Muslims. . .
by: j. grant swank, jr | 07, 01 2008
Anti-American George Soros and Unions Attempting to Put Power of CA Redistricting in Their Own Hands
by: warner todd huston | 10, 18 2010
Does Obama Want to Destroy America? Yes, But…
by: warner todd huston | 04, 26 2010
Karzai blocking probe of missing billions of U.S. dollars in Afghanistan
by: jim kouri | 07, 24 2011
Exit - Stage Left: California's Proposed Departure Tax
by: douglas v. gibbs | 08, 31 2008