ACLJ: AZ Probe of DOJ'S Operation Fast & Furious "Warranted" in Search for Truth about Botched Gun Program

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) today applauded a decision by the Arizona legislature to launch an investigation to get to the bottom of Operation Fast & Furious, the failed Department of Justice plan that allowed weapons into the hands of Mexican drug cartels and brought about the death of a U.S. Border Patrol Agent.

"The state of Arizona's decision to launch a probe into this botched program is clearly warranted and underscores the serious nature of what took place with this deadly federally-run law enforcement program," said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ. "Combined with a Congressional investigation that's still underway, the Arizona probe represents an important opportunity to get to the bottom of what really happened with this flawed program. The Justice Department has been less than forthcoming about its role in the failed operation, and we're hopeful the Arizona investigation will produce answers - something that both Arizona citizens and the American people deserve."

The ACLJ has heard from more than 50,000 Americans nationwide urging President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder to provide the truth about Operation Fast & Furious.

The Arizona House Speaker has created a special panel to investigate the program to determine whether federal officials broke any Arizona laws in allowing the gun sales to go forward and to see if state laws need updating to prevent future occurrences.

Arizona's investigation comes after the Justice Department admitted to providing false information about the program to Congress. And, the new probe comes just days before a new round of hearings on Capitol Hill, where Attorney General Holder will be questioned before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on February 2nd. Just days ago, one of the top Justice Department officials in Arizona, who was subpoenaed by the House Committee to testify about what he knows about the program, said he would not provide testimony, citing his constitutional right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) focuses on constitutional law. It is based in Washington, D.C. and online at www.aclj.org.

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SOURCE American Center for Law and Justice