Report of the Department of the Treasury on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Investigation of Vernon Wayne Howell Also Known as David Koresh September 1993/Memo

Secretary of the Treasury memo
SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY September 30, 1993

The Honorable William J. Clinton President of the United States The White House Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

I submit to you the report of the Department of the Treasury's Waco Administrative Review (the "Review").

I established the Review on April 29, 1993, after you directed that Treasury conduct a "vigorous and thorough" investigation of the events leading to the loss of law enforcement and civilian lives near Waco, Texas, on February 28, 1993.

Over the past five months, at my direction, Assistant Secretary for Enforcement Ronald K. Noble has conducted a comprehensive review of the adequacy of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms' ("ATF's") procedures, policies, and practices, and whether they were followed during ATF's investigation of Vernon Howell, a/k/a "David Koresh," and his followers. As promised, the Review left no stone unturned in finding out what happened and why.

The Review's final report recounts the events that culminated in the unsuccessful raid of the Branch Davidian Compound and analyzes why the raid ended in the deaths of four courageous ATF special agents, Conway LeBleu, Todd W. McKeehan, Robert J. Williams, and Steven D. Willis.

I know well that no inquiry can bring back any of the lives that were lost near Waco. It is my fervent hope, however, that this review and the changes it will precipitate will prevent the recurrence of such a tragedy in the future. Sincerely, [signed] Lloyd Bentsen

Dedication
In Memory of Conway C. LeBleu December 23, 1962 - February 28, 1993

Todd W. McKeehan October 19, 1964 - February 28, 1993 Robert J. Williams March 1, 1966 - February 28, 1993 Steven D. Willis December 18, 1960 - February 28, 1993

Roster
The Department of the Treasury Lloyd Bentsen, Secretary

The Waco Administrative Review Team

Ronald K. Noble, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Enforcement

Independent Reviewers

Edwin O. Guthman Henry S. Ruth, Jr. Willie L. Williams

Review Team Lewis C. Merletti, Assistant Project Director H. Geoffrey Moulton, Jr., Project Director David L. Douglass, Assistant Project Director Kenneth P. Thompson, Special Assistant Daniel C. Richman, Editor Andrew E. Tomback, Special Assistant

United States Secret Service Robert B. Blossman, Special Agent Colleen B. Callahan, Special Agent Rafael A. Gonzales, Special Agent Paul D. Irving, Special Agent Frederick R. Klare, Special Agent Joseph A. Masonis, Special Agent Lewis H. McClam, Special Agent Dick M. Suekawa, Special Agent Jennell L. Jenkins, Lead Document, Control Assistant

United States Customs Service Robert L. Cockrell, Special Agent John J. Devaney, Special Agent Robert M. Gattison, Special Agent Susan G. Rowley, Special Agent Thomas R. Smith, Special Agent Robert K. Tevens, Special Agent Ina W. E. Boston, Intelligence Research Specialist Mary Steinbacher, Correspondence Analyst Vanessa L. Bolden, Secretary

Internal Revenue Service Mary C. Balberchak, Special Agent Kenneth L. Buck, Special Agent James Rice, Special Investigator

Federal Law Enforcement Training Center John H. Battle, Instructor/Training Specialist

Office of The General Counsel Billy S. Bradley Sarah Elizabeth Jones