By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
A federal investigation into the ATF’s handling of undercover storefront operations revealed numerous problems within the agency, including the failure to follow federal law on people with disabilities.
The 112-page report by the Justice Department’s Inspector General, which took 2.5 years to complete, recommended 13 reforms, USA Today reports.
“Our review determined that while undercover operations can be an important component of ATF’s efforts to fight violent crime, ATF failed to devote sufficient attention to how it was managing its undercover storefront operations. It lacked adequate policies and guidance for its agents, and in some cases supervision, necessary to appropriately address the risks associated with the use of this complex investigative technique,” the report found.
The investigations found problems in several cities, including Milwaukee, Portland, Ore. and Pensacola, Fla.
The inspector general investigation was prompted by widespread problems with ATF that were uncovered by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
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