Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Director Kenneth Melson will no longer head the scandal-plagued unit that had a hand in the “gunwalking” “Fast and Furious” scandal that arose from a US Government agency facilitating the sale of high-caliber weapons to members of Mexican drug cartels. But fear not for Mr. Melson. He’s not getting canned; he’s simply getting “moved” to the Justice Department.
The DOJ announced Melson will be replaced by the U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, Todd Jones.
“As a seasoned prosecutor and former military judge advocate, U.S. Attorney Jones is a demonstrated leader who brings a wealth of experience to this position,” said Attorney General Eric Holder.
CBS News has learned that U.S. Attorney for Arizona Dennis Burke is also leaving his post. Details have not yet been announced. Burke was interviewed by Congressional investigators behind closed doors on August 18.
Sources tell CBS News that the Assistant U.S. Attorney in Phoenix, Emory Hurley, who worked under Burke and helped oversee the controversial case is expected to be transferred out of the Criminal Division into the Civil Division. Justice Department officials provided no immediate comment or confirmation of that move.
The flurry of personnel shifts come as the Inspector General continues investigating the so-called gunwalker scandal at the Justice Department and theATF.
The gunwalking scandal centered on an ATF program that allowed thousands of high-caliber weapons to knowingly be sold to so-called “straw buyers” who are suspected as middlemen for criminals. Those weapons, according to the Justice Dept., have been tied to at least 12 violent crimes in the United States, and an unknown number of violent crimes in Mexico.
Dubbed operation “Fast and Furious,” the plan was designed to gather intelligence on gun sales, but ATF agents have told CBS News and members of Congress that they were routinely ordered to back off and allow weapons to “walk” when sold.
UPDATE: From Michele Malkin:
“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.”
[...] appointment to avoid congressional review. He has since been forced to step down, but instead of being fired, he got a transfer. Where could a person with such high moral caliber work, I know the Justice Department! [...]