ATF Acting Director Responds to OIG Report on Fast-and-Furious Investigation

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- B. Todd Jones, Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), issued the following statement regarding the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General's report on the Fast and Furious investigation:

"ATF greatly appreciates the work done by the Department of Justice's Office of Inspector General (OIG) and believes that the OIG report is rightfully critical of ATF's handling of the Wide Receiver and Fast and Furious investigations.  ATF accepts full responsibility for its failure to exercise proper leadership and oversight of these investigations. Combined with the lack of effective and accurate internal communication up and down the chain of command, our shortcomings led to a series of regrettable events.  As such, I have referred the findings of the OIG report to our Office of Professional Responsibility and Security Operations to determine if any adverse actions are warranted. The Privacy Act prohibits us from discussing any personnel actions related to those named in the report."

"We are pleased that the DOJ OIG has acknowledged the reforms that my new leadership team has put into place since my appointment as Acting Director.  We have taken corrective actions to ensure that something like this never happens again and we will continue to be vigilant in ensuring our investigations are conducted effectively and appropriately.  We've made significant changes to ATF management and business practices, and we will make sure that this agency puts public safety first in all of our investigations."

"ATF has a long and proud history of fighting violent crime and putting violent criminals behind bars and that is what we will continue to focus on as we move forward.  ATF is a public trust and has an obligation to the American people to ensure that we do the jobs that we're paid to do while adhering to the highest standards of public service, professionalism and integrity."

More information on ATF and its programs and resources is available at www.atf.gov.

Contact: Office of Public Affairs
(202) 648-8500 www.atf.gov

SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives