Staff Reports
Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa isn’t afraid to hold corrupt organizations accountable, as seen in her recent call to the Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Michael Horowitz to investigate and recover misspent taxpayer funds from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
It’s been revealed that the ATF has been misclassifying administrative positions as law enforcement jobs, costing taxpayers millions in pay and benefits over the past five years. Outraged by this unethical behavior, Ernst has called for accountability and justice.
🚨EXCLUSIVE🚨 from @henryrodgersdc @SenJoniErnst Calls For Investigations Into ATF Bureaucrats Posing As Law Enforcement, Wasting Millions https://t.co/MJHpUPrnBm
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) May 23, 2023
Ernst’s letter to the DOJ Inspector General cites information from whistleblowers who blew the whistle on the ATF’s illegal practices. These whistleblowers’ claims were later verified by the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), which alerted President Joe Biden and Congress about the ATF’s waste, mismanagement, and unlawful employment practices.
“This resulted in ATF bureaucrats being provided pay and benefits reserved for those law enforcement personnel including enhanced retirement benefits and premium pay rates in accordance with Law Enforcement Availability Pay,” stated Ernst.
The Senator is calling for an update on the investigation, no later than June 6, 2023, to ensure that funds are recovered and whistleblowers’ concerns are addressed. Ernst is determined to hold these bureaucrats accountable for their fraudulent actions and will continue fighting to uncover the full extent of the ATF’s dishonest dealings.
“It’s outrageous that the ATF has a culture of gross mismanagement,” said Ernst. “I’ll continue to fight to hold these fraudsters accountable and claw back our hard-earned taxpayer money.”
The Department of Justice has yet to respond to Ernst’s call to action. But, with Ernst’s persistence and determination, the ATF’s corrupt actions will not go unnoticed and justice will be served.
Source: The Daily Caller
