Two more Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents have settled with the agency over claims they were retaliated against after they blew the whistle on gun-walking Operation Fast and Furious.
Larry Alt and Olindo J. “Lee” Casa settled with ATF through mediation provided by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, an independent government agency that oversees whistleblower claims. The details of the settlements are confidential.
Larry Alt
“Mr. Alt has been vindicated, and new ATF leadership is two-for-two in correcting retaliatory acts against Fast & Furious whistleblowers,” Tom Devine, Alt’s lawyer and Director of Government Accountability Project, said in a statement. “Justice was done thanks to leadership at the Bureau and the Office of Special Counsel, each of which is choosing the high road with whistleblowers.”
Lee Casa
Phoenix Field Office ATF agents Alt and Casa testified before Congress last year about their concerns over the gun-walking tactics being used in the operation. They testified that they cautioned supervisors, to no avail, about what they believed to be reckless tactics out in the field.
“On several occasions, I personally requested to interdict or seize the firearm in such a manner that would only further their investigation, but I was always told to stand down and not to seize the firearms,” Casa testified.
These resolutions follow last month’s settlement with fellow Fast and Furious whistleblower Peter Forcelli.
An ATF spokesman said he could not comment on the resolution as it is a personnel matter.
UPDATE: This story has been updated to include comment from ATF.
