Seems like the FBI needs to clean house

An agent involved in two standoffs in 18 years, finally was removed from service after allegedly attempting to purchase a 50 cal rifle to murder his wife and former supervisor.

A former special agent in charge of the Dallas FBI office said he tried to fire Carlos Ortiz 18 years ago after the troubled agent was involved in a seven-hour armed standoff with SWAT team members.

But Oliver "Buck" Revell said his recommendation was rejected by his FBI superiors in Washington because Ortiz, who is currently accused of plotting to kill his wife and his former boss, was deemed fit for duty by psychiatrists.

Revell said. "My recommendation to headquarters was unequivocal that this man was not qualified to be an agent or carry a weapon and I want him out of my office. They said, 'Well that would be a discriminatory action.' "

Ex-official wanted to fire FBI agent held in murder plot after 1992 standoff

Don't we want "discriminatory action" when it comes to idiots with authoritah? I guess being a minority (psycho) has its benefits.

And the bureau has known about their lack of getting rid of bad seeds for a while.

The FBI came under fire in 2004 when Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, accused the bureau of trying to keep an internal study of agents' misdeeds from becoming public. The study was written in 2000 and chronicled misconduct and crimes dating back more than a decade. It found that 63 percent of agents that were eventually fired for egregious acts – including covering up the murder of an informant, revealing classified information and rape – exhibited a history of misconduct. Nearly half had a record of previous disciplinary action.

"These findings raise concerns about whether the FBI was dealing with problem agents soon enough and rigorously enough, possibly because of a reluctance to impose severe discipline," Grassley said at the time.

Rape and murder? Over 63% of those fired had a "history of misconduct?" Although we don't have the N number of agents fired, it may indicate that the agency keeps bad apples around for a while.

Comparing the agency with private businesses, it may be at the same percentage-wise for dismissing employees after a history of misconduct. I know its sometimes difficult to git rid of non-performers and out-right crooks from a private business. The FBI is probably no different in that respect. But I think we should hold public-sector employees to a higher standard.

Especially if they carry a badge and a gun.