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TSA official busted for distributing guns to high-up officials retiring

Rachel Stoltzfoos Staff Reporter
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A Transportation Security Administration official accused of involvement in a scheme to use the Federal Air Marshal Service’s license to collect and redistribute guns to high-up officials is retiring in June.

Federal Air Marshal Service director Robert Bray is one of several officials being investigated in connection with the scheme, and his retirement is directly related to the investigation, reports FoxNews.com.

The probe is believed to involve the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and stems from whistleblower accusations against FAMS supervisor Danny Poulos. He is accused of using the agency’s license and connection with gun manufacturer Sig Sauer to collect and redistribute discounted or free guns for high-up TSA and FAMS officials’ personal use.

According to documents obtained by Fox News.com, the director and former deputy director “received several firearms from [the supervisor] that included ‘special purchases’ such as long guns and assault rifles.”

It’s unclear how many guns were involved or if anyone made money from the transactions.

The documents also claim the ongoing investigation “is being conducted quietly to keep Congress in the dark on the gross mismanagement and misdeeds that the FAMS senior management staff have perpetrated for several years.”

Homeland Security subcommittee chair Rep. Richard Hudson wrote a letter to TSA head John Pistole Thursday complaining Congress has not been properly notified of the investigation and expressed “grave concern” about the claims of misconduct, reports Fox News.

“The alleged behavior is unbecoming of any official entrusted with the duty to protect and serve the American public,” Hudson told FoxNews.com in a written statement. “I am outraged at the apparent attempt by TSA and the Federal Air Marshal Service to hide this from Congress. TSA needs to come forward and provide clear and complete answers so that we can conduct a thorough and open review of these alleged activities on behalf of the American people.”

Bray announced his retirement March 31, and said he has no plans, except to spend time with his wife and family. “Many of you have heard me talk about the importance of change and how vital it is to keep any agency moving forward,” he wrote. “Therefore, I need to practice what I preach and so effective June 28th, I am going to retire from Federal service”