Senators Call for Immediate Action on ATF Misconduct
Two Republican senators are urging swift corrective measures concerning the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agency. They accuse agency officials of serious misconduct and of potentially violating federal guidelines regarding salary adjustments. Allegations suggest that supervisors disregarded these guidelines and, rather than facing disciplinary actions, have allowed fraudulent activities to continue. There are also claims of retaliation against whistleblowers attempting to reveal these issues, with promotions granted under the Biden administration.
According to the senators, Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, ATF personnel, who were meant to focus on law enforcement, engaged in administrative tasks yet received inflated benefits, which is a misappropriation of taxpayer funds.
In their correspondence, the senators reference an ongoing issue pertaining to the ATF’s Interior Department audit, which was completed early in 2024. This audit followed investigations by the Office of Personnel Management that ended in 2020, which questioned the ATF’s classification authority.
They specifically point to two supervising agents, Lisa Boykin and Ralph Bitterali. The senators claim that the internal audits not only failed to rectify the misclassification but also permitted retaliatory actions against whistleblowers.
The letter highlights that both Boykin and Bitterali received promotions even after complaints were raised. An instance cited involved a decision regarding relocating Phoenix ATF law enforcement officials to managerial roles in Washington, D.C., despite concerns over their classification. Initially, Bitterali agreed to withdraw the job offer but later reversed his decision.
Furthermore, the senators allege that Bitterali attempted to conceal an “illegal allocation” by sending a promotion for processing directly tied to his salary.
In another situation, when attempting to classify the position of Director of Workforce Wellness and Services as one related to law enforcement, personnel specialists were reportedly threatened for challenging this classification, which they deemed a violation of OPM standards. Boykin’s statements during the investigation raised further issues, as she seemed unclear on whether the WWSD chief position had proper approval—despite evidence suggesting otherwise.
Grassley and Ernst’s letter contends the findings warrant serious corrective actions given the misconduct linked to Boykin and Bitterali. However, they express frustration that those in leadership at the ATF and DOJ have failed to hold these officials accountable. Even after investigations deemed the actions improper, both individuals have continued to be elevated within the organization.
Interestingly, Boykin received a promotion to Chief Diversity Officer under Biden, but later, her title changed to “Senior Executive.” Meanwhile, Bitterali was promoted to Senior Advisor at the DOJ and later became Associate Director of Human Resources.
The senators’ correspondence underscores a pattern of waste and fraud at the expense of taxpayers, highlighting serious concerns over the leadership’s ability to uphold the law. They argue that Boykin and Bitterali’s blatant disregard for legal protocols raises questions about their qualifications to hold positions of power within the DOJ.
In closing, Grassley and Ernst have requested that the Department of Justice respond by May 23 regarding the audit findings and any actions planned to address the concerns raised in their letter. While the DOJ declined to comment, the ATF has not responded to inquiries for this matter.
