The Lisbon Reporter

WELCOME TO THE LISBON REPORTER. In an effort to keep our community informed of what is going on at local and Federal levels of government, we decided to create this on-line newspaper. It is our hope that this on-line newspaper will help you stay informed so that you can get involved and take action for the benefit of our ENTIRE community. Thank you for visiting and please check back frequently for information about what is happening in LISBON/LISBON FALLS, MAINE USA

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Fast and Furious Find Fallguy

ATF head removed after 'fast and furious' controversy
By Jordy Yager
The head of the ATF has been removed after months of speculation about his role in a botched gun tracking operation that may have contributed to the death of a Border Patrol agent.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Monday that acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Kenneth Melson was being replaced. Melson is being transferred to the Office of Legal Policy, where he will be a senior advisor.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Todd Jones will take over as acting ATF director, according to the Department of Justice.

Melson has been in Congress’s crosshairs for the majority of this year as Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) investigated the ATF’s botched gun tracking operation, Fast and Furious. The operation oversaw the sale of thousands of firearms to known and suspected straw purchasers for Mexican drug cartels.