Report: Key Figure in Gun-Selling Probe Signed Deal With TSA
Friday, 25 Apr 2014 11:10 PM
Robert Bray, who is quitting in June after directing the service for nearly six years, signed the agreement with the Transportation Security Administration. The TSA oversees the marshal's service, Fox reports.
The deal was disclosed in an April 18 letter by TSA chief John Pistole to North Carolina Rep. Richard Hudson, the Republican chairman of the House Transportation Subcommittee.
Bray is being investigated for obtaining free guns through the marshal's service without authorization. His Washington-area home was raided by federal law-enforcement officials in December. Bray announced his retirement in March.
"I am aware of the allegations within the FAMS, including those involving the director, and believe them to be subject to appropriate investigation," Pistole said in the letter, which was obtained by Fox. While the investigation was continuing, the letter said, Bray "has entered into a settlement agreement, which includes a provision to hold in abeyance any potential disciplinary actions."
Pistole's letter was in response to a query from Hudson on whether Bray's resignation was linked to the federal investigation, Fox reports.
But Bray's attorney, Ken Cuccinelli, told Fox in a statement that the agreement was reached after his client announced his retirement.
"After nearly 40 years of unblemished service in law enforcement, Mr. Bray announced his retirement on March 31," Cuccinelli said. "Several days after Mr. Bray's retirement announcement, a representative from the TSA Office of Chief Counsel approached Mr. Bray about entering into a mutual hold-harmless agreement in which both sides waived any potential claims against the other and set down the timeline of Mr. Bray's retirement."
According to Pistole's letter, the investigation stemmed from a tip last March to the inspector general's office at the Department of Homeland Security that a "Federal Air Marshal (FAM) was purchasing and selling guns without a license to co-workers," Fox reports.
The DHS office then referred the information to TSA for investigation.
The operation, whistleblowers have told Fox, involved Air Marshal Supervisor Danny Poulos, who now is on administrative leave. He is accused of misusing his relationship with Sig Sauer, the German weapons manufacturer, to obtain firearms at a discount for marshal's service staff.
They included Bray, according to Fox.
While TSA officials have confirmed that Bray had bought weapons from Poulos, he did so legally and with "no knowledge" they may have been "ill-gotten," Pistole said in the letter quoted by Fox.
Bray also admitted to CNN earlier this month that he bought the guns from Poulos, but he denied that his retirement was related to the TSA's investigation.
"I have nothing to hide," Bray told CNN. "I'm not trying to hide anything."
A TSA spokesman declined to comment on Pistole's letter to Fox.
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