Katie Pavlich at Townhall.com reports some good news for veteran Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms agent Vince Cefalu, who was sacked in the parking lot of a Denny’s restaurant in California two weeks ago: his termination has been delayed for at least 45 days by order of the Merit Systems Protection Board, giving the Office of Special Counsel “an opportunity to investigate the circumstances surrounding his termination.”
The ostensible reason for Cefalu’s termination was a “lack of candor” when testifying under subpoena about a case unrelated to the Fast and Furious gun-walking scandal. Cefalu disputes this charge, insisting that he was fired more because his superiors just didn’t like the testimony he delivered in that case, and already had it in for him because he’s an outspoken critic of ATF policies and procedures, including Operation Fast and Furious. Retaliating against him for whistle-blowing would violate U.S. Code, and possibly the First Amendment.
According to Pavlich’s report, the OSC wants Cefalu reinstated to full-time status as an agent until the stay against his termination expires, or the decision to terminate him is reversed.
