Atf Party Probed -- Racism Seen At Good Ol' Boys Event That Reportedly Excluded Blacks
WASHINGTON - The Treasury Department is investigating a whites-only law-enforcement gathering where racist slogans and T-shirts were displayed. The agency pledged "the strongest possible discipline" against agents who participated.
John Magaw, director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, ordered the investigation yesterday after hearing reports that ATF agents organized and helped coordinate a "Good Ol' Boys Roundup," held each spring since 1980 in the Tennessee hills.
"Everyone at ATF knows of my intolerance for discrimination and harassment," Magaw said. "If an inquiry finds that anyone is involved in these practices, I will do everything in my power to mete out the strongest possible discipline."
The investigation centers on indications that as many as 12 current and former ATF employees were involved in the May 18-20 event, described as a weekend of relaxation for police from across the country.
The Washington Times, quoting anonymous law-enforcement officers, said the gathering included the sale of T-shirts with Martin Luther King Jr.'s face behind a target, O.J. Simpson in a hangman's noose and white police officers with an African-American man sprawled across the hood of their car under the words "Boyz on the Hood."
"This kind of behavior has no place in ATF or law enforcement generally," said Magaw's boss, Treasury undersecretary Ron Noble.
Magaw said the gathering is organized by former ATF agent Gene
Rightmyer and has, at times, been purely recreational, with no racist overtones.
He said two current agents - one African-American, one white - attended this year to play volleyball but left after realizing the black agent was not welcome.
The agency is facing a federal lawsuit, filed by African-American agents who contend ATF supervisors have done little to address complaints of racial slurs, harassment and other job discrimination. There are about 200 blacks among ATF's 2,000 agents.
Beside the two agents who left, Magaw said he has confirmed that four retired ATF agents were involved in the event. He is investigating whether other current ATF agents attended, he said.
The letter of invitation used the address and telephone number of the ATF office in Greenville, S.C., where Rightmyer was assigned, as the contact point for registration and questions, the Times reported.
Magaw said it would be against the law to use ATF facilities or equipment to organize such an event.
"I'm appalled that an event like this happens anywhere," he said.