Heads roll fast and furiously over botched ATF gun walking scheme
by Hugh Holub on Aug. 31, 2011, under atf, politicsSome heads rolled on Tuesday over ATF’s botched Fast and Furious scheme….
Issa Statement on Resignation of Arizona U.S. Attorney, Reassignment of ATF Director
(WASHINGTON) House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) today released the following statement regarding Department of Justice personnel changes involving Arizona U.S. Attorney Dennis Burke, ATF Acting Director Kenneth Melson, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory Hurley:
“While the reckless disregard for safety that took place in Operation Fast and Furious certainly merits changes within the Department of Justice, the Oversight and Government Reform Committee will continue its investigation to ensure that blame isn’t offloaded on just a few individuals for a matter that involved much higher levels of the Justice Department. There are still many questions to be answered about what happened in Operation Fast and Furious and who else bears responsibility, but these changes are warranted and offer an opportunity for the Justice Department to explain the role other officials and offices played in the infamous efforts to allow weapons to flow to Mexican drug cartels. I also remain very concerned by Acting Director Melson’s statement that the Department of Justice is managing its response in a manner intended to protect its political appointees. Senator Grassley and I will continue to press the Department of Justice for answers in order to ensure that a reckless effort like Fast and Furious does not take place again.”
Various press releases from US Department of Justice August 30, 2011:
Dennis K. Burke Resigns as U.S. Attorney for District of Arizona
PHOENIX – Dennis Burke, U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona, has delivered his letter of resignation to President Obama. A copy of the letter is below.
In an email to staff, Burke said: “The work in every corner of this office – your work – has been significant and impressive. When I first came to this office a decade ago as a line AUSA (Assistant United States Attorney), I knew this was an excellent office and did important work.”
Burke added, “My long tenure in public service has been intensely gratifying. It has also been intensely demanding. For me, it is the right time to move on to pursue other aspects of my career and my life and allow the office to move ahead.
Burke was appointed U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona in 2009. His resignation is effective immediately.
Ann Scheel will serve as Acting United States Attorney, under the Vacancies Reform Act and by virtue of her position as First Assistant. Burke added, “I thank Ann for agreeing to assume these responsibilities until the Attorney General or the President makes an interim or permanent appointment.”
US Attorney Eric Holder:
Statement of Attorney General Eric Holder on the Resignation of U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona Dennis Burke
WASHINGTON – Attorney General Eric Holder issued the following statement today on the resignation of U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona Dennis Burke:
“United States Attorney Dennis Burke has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s office, first as a line prosecutor over a decade ago and more recently as United States Attorney.
“Under his leadership, the office has made great progress in its pursuit of justice with the creation of special units focusing on civil rights enforcement and rule of law, as well as more robust outreach to key communities, particularly in Indian Country. The office’s quick response to the devastating shootings in January that claimed the lives of several people and critically injured Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was crucial in arresting and charging the alleged shooter.
“I am grateful to Dennis for his dedication and service to the Department of Justice over these many years and commend his decision to place the interests of the U.S. Attorney’s office above all else.”
…and don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out…
ATF Acting Director Announces Depature, New Role as Senior Advisor on Forensic Science in Office of Legal Policy
WASHINGTON – Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Acting Director Kenneth Melson today announced that he is leaving the agency to become Senior Advisor to the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy (OLP) where he will specialize in forensic science policy issues at the Department of Justice.
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ATF employees are hard working and dedicated to the mission of protecting the public every day, and in my time here I have seen firsthand their extraordinary commitment to stopping violent crime,” said Melson. “I will miss working with them, but know that my continued work at the Department will contribute in their pursuit and prosecution of violent criminals.”Melson was appointed Acting Director in 2009. Prior to joining ATF, he was Director of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys.
As senior advisor, Melson will assist and advise on issues relating to forensic science policy. He brings extensive experience in this area, having served for the last two years as a co-chair of the Subcommittee on Forensic Science at the National Science and Technology Council within the Executive Office of the President.
He is a Distinguished Fellow and Past President of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) and currently participates as a board member of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) as a representative of the Department of Justice.
In 2006, he was the Chair of the Council of Scientific Society Presidents, and before that he was the ethics advisor for the Council. Melson serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Forensic Sciences, on the Ethics Committee for the AAFS, and served on the Advisory Council of the National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law at Stetson University College of Law until 2011.
He has been an adjunct professor at the George Washington University for over 30 years, teaching law and forensic science courses at both the law school and the Department of Forensic Sciences. He also contributes chapters and articles to both scientific texts and legal journals on forensic science issues.
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August 31st, 2011 on 11:14 am
Hugh – thanks to you, local residents have been kept informed on this story from the get-go. Good work.
August 31st, 2011 on 5:34 pm
These people should possibly be prosecuted and put in jail along with anyone else involved.
Jettison a few mid level saps and maybe this will all quietly go away. See? It’s not hard to think like the current administration.
August 31st, 2011 on 5:40 pm
Check out Malkin’s take on these criminals.
http://michellemalkin.com/2011/08/31/screw-up-move-up-cover-up-fast-and-furious-edition/
September 8th, 2011 on 2:28 pm
Attorney General Eric Holder sure glad he has a grip on reality
September 27th, 2011 on 7:55 am
Why isn’t this being put on every media outlet? No comment by the WH indeed
September 27th, 2011 on 9:36 am
I do not understand, the program worked (politically) far beyond expectations of the people who develop and implemented the concept. Outcome as the media presented it — gun were sent in great quantity to Mexico, people being killed on both sides of the border by guns, increased challenges to gun ownership and everyone involved so far has either been rewarded or protected.
September 27th, 2011 on 10:19 am
Now that Hugh is gone, where will the local coverage on this story come from? Last night, 9/26/2011, the Tucson Teaparty sponsored an information meeting on the subject; more than 500 citizens attended. Where is the local coverage today? Except for brief spots on two local tv channels, no where. The Az Daily Star, of the Daily Fishwrap, colludes with the criminals who are running this government, and instead reports today that a sixth burro died in the western desert! Caevat Lector, were you at CDO last night? This is your traditional beat!