DOJ’s Breuer Authorized Wiretap In ATF Fast And Furious Case

Congressional investigators have just released documents in the so-called gunwalking scandal at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). This in advance of a Senate hearing in which Attorney General Eric Holder will testify.

One document indicates a Holder Asst. Attorney General, Lanny Breuer, authorized a wiretap in the controversial gun trafficking case headquartered in Phoenix. In that case, called “Fast and Furious,” multiple sources say ATF allowed thousands of guns to hit the streets, destined for Mexican drug cartels.

Yesterday, at a House hearing, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) asked

Holder who authorized Fast and Furious. President Obama has previously said neither he nor Holder authorized the operation.

“What about the Asst. Attorney General of the Criminal Division, Lanny Breuer? Did he authorize it?” Issa asked Holder.

“I’m not sure,” answered Holder.

Another newly-released document is an ATF Briefing Paper dated Jan. 8, 2010, just four months into Fast and Furious – which continued for over a year. It indicates that ATF knew early on that so-called “straw purchasers” who bought guns for personal use were illegally transferring them to third parties, and that some of the guns were already showing up in Mexico.

Read the rest of the article at:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31727_162-20059640-10391695.html