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Senators Demand DOJ Action Over ATF Misclassification Scheme Costing Taxpayers Millions

Grassley and Ernst call for criminal investigations into ATF officials accused of inflating pay through fraudulent job classifications.

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Overview

  • Republican Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst have formally requested the DOJ respond by May 23 with plans to address findings of fraud and misconduct at the ATF.
  • An internal ATF report and OPM audit revealed supervisory agents misclassified administrative roles as law enforcement positions, costing taxpayers an estimated $20 million over five years.
  • Whistleblowers allege retaliation for exposing the scheme, which involved relocating 100 field-level officers to administrative roles while maintaining law enforcement pay.
  • Despite documented misconduct, implicated officials Lisa Boykin and Ralph Bittelari were promoted to senior positions within the DOJ and ATF.
  • The DOJ and ATF have declined to comment on the allegations, while Ernst has urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to initiate a criminal investigation.