Justice Dept rejects gun-smuggling cover-up claim
Reporter: Marcelino Benito
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Justice Department is rejecting an assertion by a House committee chairman that top Justice officials are covering up events surrounding a flawed gun-smuggling probe, Operation Fast and Furious.
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., made the accusation in a letter threatening to pursue contempt proceedings against Attorney General Eric Holder for failing to turn over congressionally subpoenaed documents that were created after problems with Fast and Furious came to light.
Deputy Attorney General James Cole responded Wednesday that the department will provide material created after Feb. 4, 2011, the day the department gave incorrect information to Congress about Fast and Furious. At the time, the department said federal agents made every effort to intercept weapons illegally purchased from Phoenix-area gun shops. Instead, the agents tried to track the weapons after purchase.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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