Exclusive: Allegations of Misconduct and Promotions at ATF Prompt GOP Senators to Demand Accountability

Exclusive: Allegations of Misconduct and Promotions at ATF Prompt GOP Senators to Demand Accountability

Two Senate Republicans are urging for immediate corrective measures at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, also known as ATF. The senators accuse the agency’s officials of significant misconduct, mismanagement, and abuse of power. They raise serious concerns about potential criminal activities that allegedly occurred as supervisory staff neglected federal directives to inflate their salaries.

Instead of facing appropriate disciplinary action, the supervisory agents involved in this situation, who allegedly ignored misconduct and retaliated against whistleblowers, have received promotions under the Biden administration, the senators assert.

The letter, sent on Friday to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and ATF acting Director Daniel Driscoll, details the senators’ accusations. Iowa’s Republican senators, Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, stated that ATF’s unlawful actions led to staff performing administrative work while unlawfully receiving enhanced law enforcement pay and benefits. This conduct has reportedly wasted millions of taxpayer dollars.

Internal Investigations Uncover Misclassification Issues

In their correspondence, Grassley and Ernst reference two internal investigations from the Office of Personnel Management that concluded in 2020, which resulted in the suspension of ATF’s classification authority. Additionally, they mention the ATF Internal Affairs Division’s audit, completed in early 2024. Despite the suspension of classification authority by OPM in 2020—reinstated in 2023—ATF officials allegedly continued to reclassify employees improperly, in defiance of OPM’s directives, according to the senators.

The letter also names two specific supervisory agents, Lisa Boykin and Ralph Bittelari, who the senators claim facilitated this misclassification scheme. The Internal Affairs Division audit reportedly reveals that Boykin and Bittelari not only allowed this scheme to persist but also retaliated against whistleblowers who aimed to expose the wrongdoing.

Promotions Amid Serious Allegations

Notably, Boykin and Bittelari were reportedly promoted before President Joe Biden left office and are still operating within the ATF under the current administration. The senators highlight one particular incident involving Bittelari and Boykin, who moved to relocate an ATF law enforcement officer in Phoenix to an administrative role at ATF headquarters, despite OPM flagging the position for being misclassified.

The findings indicate that Bittelari initially considered withdrawing the job offer but changed his mind after further discussions with Boykin and proceeded with the relocation. This decision raises further concerns about the integrity of the agency’s decision-making processes.

Attempts to Conceal Misconduct

The senators’ letter recounts an additional instance where Bittelari allegedly attempted to conceal an unlawful assignment by directly submitting the promotion for payroll processing. This action suggests a significant breach of ethical obligations and highlights the need for transparency within the agency.

Moreover, Bittelari reportedly faced pushback when improperly classifying the position description for the chief of the ATF’s Workforce Wellness and Services Division. In this case, a human resources classification specialist faced threats of insubordination after notifying colleagues about the violation of OPM directives.

Serious Concerns Raised by Whistleblowers

In their documentation, the senators cite alarming discrepancies regarding Boykin’s honesty during the investigation into the chief of the WWSD position. Although Boykin asserted uncertainty about whether the chief role had been filled prior to sufficient approval, emails revealed that the appointed individual engaged in meetings as WWSD chief before the position was officially approved. This raises profound questions about accountability and transparency at the agency.

Grassley and Ernst’s letter underscores the critical findings of the Internal Affairs Division audit, which point to egregious misconduct by Boykin and Bittelari. They argue that not only did leadership fail to hold these individuals accountable, but also that whistleblower disclosures indicate they received promotions following the damning conclusions of the IAD investigation.

Promotions Raise Eyebrows

According to the letter, Boykin was elevated to the position of chief diversity officer during Biden’s term, although her title was later altered to ‘Senior Executive.’ Meanwhile, Bittelari ascended to a senior advisor role within the Justice Department’s Justice Management Division, and later acting deputy director of human resources.

Call for Accountability and Corrective Action

In concluding their letter, Grassley and Ernst reaffirm the findings of the IAD and OPM audit reports, illustrating substantial waste and misconduct by Boykin and Bittelari to the detriment of taxpayer interests. They emphasize the need for immediate remedial measures to restore integrity within the ATF.

Furthermore, they highlighted both agents’ blatant disregard for the law, demonstrating a troubling pattern of behavior among agency leaders. Grassley and Ernst reiterated that such individuals should not occupy leadership roles within the Justice Department.

Expectations for a Formal Response

Alongside their call for corrective actions, the senators have requested a formal response from the Justice Department by May 23, detailing how they plan to address the multitude of issues raised in the IAD report and their letter.

As of now, the Justice Department has declined to comment on these claims, and the ATF has not responded to inquiries. The implications of these revelations could prompt significant changes, calling into question the leadership and management practices within the Bureau.

It is paramount that federal agencies uphold the highest standards of accountability and transparency. The ongoing investigations and subsequent responses will likely shape public confidence in the ATF’s operations moving forward.