Sharyl Attkisson of CBS News posted a report on the draft DOJ Inspector General report on Operation Fast and Furious yesterday. The report places most of the blame on Phoenix-based ATF officials including SAC William Newell, group supervisor David Voth, and the lead case agent Hope McAllister.
Those familiar with the contents say ATF Phoenix officials shoulder much blame, including then-Special Agent in Charge Bill Newell, the lead Fast and Furious case agent Hope MacAllister, and group supervisor David Voth.
Since the controversy was first exposed, a divide has developed between the ATF staff in Phoenix who oversaw and implemented Fast and Furious; and their supervisors at ATF headquarters and the Justice Department. The Phoenix officials say higher-ups approved of the case. But the higher-ups say it was all the brainchild of rogue ATF officials in Phoenix.
Also being singled out for blame in Project Gunwalker are former US Attorney for Arizona Dennis Burke, his assistant Emory Hurley, and former Acting ATF Director Kenneth Melson.
The draft report is expected to be released within the next few weeks. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) has scheduled a hearing for September 11th on the report and has asked DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz to testify. In a letter sent to Horowitz on Friday, August 24th, Issa warned the DOJ about taking a longer than usual amount of time to review the draft report.
As to the conclusions of the draft report and who leaked it to Sharyl Attkission, Mike Vanderboegh had this comment:
Well, there’s a big surprise. You didn’t think Kevin O’Reilly’s name would come up, did you? Ask yourself just one thing. Who is in a position to read and leak the contents of this report which is not yet final and hasn’t been seen outside the executive branch? Someone who is interested in what the military calls, IPB — “Intelligence Preparation of the Battlespace.”
I hope those "Rogue Village Idiots" took good notes. Or at least get a cool job lined up for their after-GS life.
It's not fun being under the bus.
"…It's not fun being under the bus."
Nope – but they're not likely to be alone for long either… I'm willing to bet it will get crowded under there before its over…
This could be where things start to get interesting, as the designated patsies begin considering their options… I'm willing to bet that all will be offered VERY generous "separation agreements" in exchange for their silence…
As much as I'd like to see them decide to sing, I don't expect it will happen… '
They've all got too much to lose, and ending up like Vince Foster is about as GOOD as it gets with this bunch!!! …