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| Project Gunwalker: How Two Media Guys Broke the Story | |
| 2011-06-24 | |
Codrea and Vanderboegh claim that internal ATF whistleblowers informed them that agency management was knowingly and deliberately allowing hundreds of semiautomatic guns to be walked across the desert border into Mexico. Although such an act on the part of the ATF - whose job is essentially to prevent gun smuggling - seems unfathomable, Codrea and Vanderboegh reported that by allowing the guns into Mexico, the agency could effectively pad gun-related crime statistics and prove that Mexican drug cartels were using American-derived firearms, all in an effort to encourage continued federal funding of ATF projects. After a gun used in the killing of U.S. border agent Brian Terry was reportedly linked to an alleged internal ATF smuggling program, media coverage of "Gunrunner/Gunwalker" hit a fever pitch. Codrea and Vanderboegh's findings were soon made available on CleanUpATF.org, with both journalists claiming to have been contacted by ATF insiders who corroborated claims of a gunrunning effort. The creator of CleanUpATF.org was fired Thursday by acting director Melson. Hell hath no fury like an agency administrator going after a whistleblower... According to Codrea, "Vanderboegh and I, who have a history going back years of documenting allegations posted there, and pressing for congressional hearings to investigate the claims, were both contacted independently by various ATF insiders claiming to have corroborating information and documentation." In the ensuing media mayhem, a number of national outlets began coverage of the potential scandal, with many calling for congressional investigations into the allegations. In the interim, Codrea and Vanderboegh have stood by their reports, and have defended their sources, individuals who have remained largely anonymous. According to Codrea, "[Vanderboegh] vetted his sources and I used my contacts to help validate that my informant was who he represented himself to be. Mike [Vanderboegh] and I did what we could throughout our separate and coordinated investigations to test and corroborate what was being told. We also had a small circle of behind-the-scenes consultants, including firearms designer Len Savage, and a few other knowledgeable advisors, all with contacts and informed insights of their own, and all of whom have earned our trust over the years." As details have continued to surface, allegations paint a picture of an interdepartmental government effort, with members of Justice Department and ATF accused of participating in what has become known as "Project Gunwalker." | |
| Posted by:Sherry |