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Homeland Security Report: Customs and Border Protection Agencies Rife with Dysfunction
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The U.S. Customs and Border Protection is mired in internal dysfunction and turf battles and is unable to stem corruption within its ranks, according to an internal study, the TheDailyBeast.com reports. The website says the agency, which has about 60,000 employees, has been unable to control its disciplinary system or a culture…
Albany’s New FBI Agent in Charge Has Extensive Background Investigating Terrorism
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com An FBI agent with extensive experience in counterterrorism is taking over the bureau’s Albany Division, the Associated Press reports. Andrew Vale has been named agent in charge of the division, which is responsible for investigations in northern New York and Vermont, the AP wrote. Vale began his career with the FBI…
FBI Plans To Begin Scanning Eyes of Paroled Inmates in Trial Using New Technology
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The FBI plans to launch new technology later this year that would scan images of criminals’ eyes. Nextgov.com wrote that agents will begin using the iris scans to verify the identities of release convicts and those on the lam. The eye-scanning trial will last about a year, Nexgov.com wrote. The launch follows…
FBI Data: Background Checks for Gun Purchases Spiked After Connecticut School Shooting Last Month
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com In the month since a shooting at a school in Connecticut killed 20 children and six adults, gun purchases appear to be rapidly on the rise, Reuters reports. Background checks for firearm purchases spiked since the Dec. 14 mass killing, Reuters wrote. Of the 10 most popular days for background checks in…
Gun Lobby Makes It Difficult for President Obama to Appoint New ATF Director
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The gun lobby is making it difficult for President Obama find a new permanent director of the ATF, the Chicago Tribune reports. Obama had to give up on his previous nomination Andrew Traver, who headed the ATF office in Chicago, after pressure from the gun lobby made it impossible to get Senate…
FBI Investigates Florida Physicians Over Probe of Performance-Enhancing Drugs to MLB Players
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com A new string of positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs among professional baseball players has prompted the FBI to investigate a Florida supplier, the New York Daily News reports. Physician Anthony Bosch, who has worked closely with Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, is the target of the probe, along with his father Pedro Bosch,…
New Book: FBI Manufactures Terrorism Cases
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com Since the Sept. 11, 2011 attacks, the FBI has blundered the war on terrorism, manufacturing cases to create the appearance that the country is safer, Trevor Aaronson alleges in his new book, “The Terror Factor: Inside the FBI’s Manufactured War on Terrorism.” The book claims the FBI has arrested 500 so-called terrorists…
Secret Service Dog Plunges to Death Following Event Involving Vice President Biden in New Orleans
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com A Secret Service dog fell to its death from a parking garage in New Orleans Saturday while on guard for an event featuring Vice President Biden, The Hill reports. Biden was speaking at a fundraiser for Sen. Mary Landrieau when the dog fell. “It was a tragic accident,” Secret Service spokesman Max…