More Fast and Furious Audio Tapes: ATF Agent 'Collateral Damage'

This side of the Operation Fast and Furious scandal is growing increasingly despicable. Again, ATF lead case agent Hope McAllister and Gun Store owner of Lone Wolf Trading Company Andre Howard can be heard on these recordings. Taken at face value, it appears that Howard, despite being the person who made these recordings, is in on the coverup. There are some disgusting things that become quite apparent in listening to this latest release of recordings. The lack of concern for Border Patrol agent Brian Terry is off the charts; Howard can be heard referring to him as 'collateral damage.'

Howard can then be heard expressing disgust for agent John Dodson for blowing the whistle. Interestingly, Howard then says Dodson won't be able to 'substantiate' his claims because the evidence is 'gone.' Could it be that Howard was making a reference to the third gun found at Terry's murder scene, the one that was the result of an FBI informant leaving it there?

After listening to the first rounds of recordings, I wondered if Howard might have been stringing the ATF along since he was the one making the recordings but it's looking less and less likely that's the case. After listening to these, I'm left with the impression that he likely made the recordings to cover his own butt. If so, it looks like that was a bad idea for him. Though these recordings make McAllister and the ATF look bad, this latest round makes Howard look much worse.

Via CBS:



Here is the transcript that corresponds with audio above:

EXCERPT 1

Dealer: Unfortunately a consequence occurred from a weapon shall we say that found its way into the wrong area ok and that was not anticipated. Nobody could foresee that that's collateral damage I think the term is. It happened. It's terrible. That's life ok we move on. Unfortunately, Mr. Dodson with his allegation is a pain in the a--. Now, my understanding now is it will be impossible now that he will be able to substantiate anything directly because that evidence is gone. I want you to know that. It don't exist. Not that one. You understand me?

Agent: MMhmm.

Dealer: Good. I get that.

EXCERPT 2

Dealer: My biggest problem is Dodson. You know this guy has damaged the hell out of me. I mean I walked out of here yesterday.

Agent: Mmhmm.

Dealer: I got it from the tattoo parlor, I got some damn Mexicans and white trash over there.

Agent: Yeah...

Dealer: Yelling across the parking lot: "can i buy 300 AK 47's?? Would you turn me in, over that?" This is the kind of sh-- i'm getting.

Agent: Yeah.

EXCERPT 3

Dealer: The most damning thing that you guys got to be aware of I think hypothetically is was there, you have to ask yourselves this first I'm just throwin this out there, was there a communication that hypothetically the US Attorney's office uh was entertained with the DOJ in reference to any ballistics tests or anything? Is there any way any of these idiots..

Agent: The problem is I mean we're not investigating that case.

Dealer: I know the FBI is.

Agent: And he's (Dodson) assigned to the FBI. I, I have not, I don't have any way of knowing what he has access to. And that's on the FBI. I mean that's on them. If they consider him, don't consider him an operational security issue, that's their f-----g fault. But I don't have access to that sh--, I don't know I have no idea what the FBI.

Dealer: (unintell.) I know you don't...I'm saying that's a whole parallel issue.

Agent: Right.

EXCERPT 4

Dealer: What about the emails copies he's got?

Agent: Those emails are a year ago that's why I wonder what he I mean

Dealer: Let me help you out. Here's what I smell. There's a reason you ran (unintell.) about not talking about any of your other agents out there.

Agent: Yeah.

Dealer: You got some rats in there honey...

(Crosstalk)

Dealer: I'll tell you some of these motherf-----s, I don't know if they're giving it to Dodson, I think they are, somebody's got some inter-agency copies not just this sh--.

These recordings are now coming out daily and each time, appear to be more incriminating. I expect those involved in this scandal to start singing soon.

CLICK HERE for previously released recordings.