WP: Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms Director Resigns Amid Spending Probe

[DeepModem Mom]

ATF Director Resigns Amid Spending Probe
By Dan Eggen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, August 5, 2006; Page A02

The director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced his resignation yesterday, six months after the launch of an internal investigation into questionable spending on a new headquarters and other items during his tenure.

Carl J. Truscott, a 22-year veteran of the Secret Service who took over as ATF chief in 2004, was under fire for his spending and management practices at a time when the agency was considering sharp cuts in the number of new cars, bulletproof vests and other basics it provides agents....

***

A report on ATF is expected soon from Justice Department Inspector General Glenn A. Fine. His office has been investigating allegations that Truscott put through or proposed hundreds of thousands of dollars of unnecessary plan changes and upgrades to ATF's new 438,000-square-foot headquarters.

The building, under construction in Northeast Washington, is at least $19 million over budget.

Sources familiar with the project told The Washington Post earlier this year that Truscott planned to buy, among other things, nearly $300,000 in extras for the new director's suite, including a $65,000 conference table and more than $100,000 worth of hardwood floors, custom trim and other items....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/04/AR2006080401496.html?nav=most_emailed

[Ian David]

1. At least he didn's spend it all on booze and cigarettes?

Send lawyers, guns and money?

[rodeodance]

2. time to hit the "culture of Corruption" theme

[Joanne98]

3. We need a culture of corruption file.

[mom cat]

4. And yet there is NO study of the trillions lost by the Pentagon?

There must be something else going on ... like Homeland Insecurity wanting a piece of the action.

[htuttle]

5. Follow the money

Who got the contracts to build the new facilities? Do they have any other prior connections to Truscott or the Bush mob?

[never cry wolf]

6. oh good lord.....

as an architect (small time, but still) i can only imagine the records pulled....