The head of the state Justice Department’s field office in Superior is the subject of a federal investigation, the result of a report by a DOJ agent that Jay Smith was manufacturing and selling firearms without a license, and claimed to own a stolen semi-automatic rifle.
The Wisconsin State Journal reports a DOJ spokeswoman said Thursday that the agency does not expect any charges to be filed against Smith. Among those who allegedly bought weapons from Smith was Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, the paper reports.
The five month investigation has been conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in St. Paul. A veteran DCI drug agent, Dan Bethards, reported that Smith, his boss, was manufacturing and selling firearms to fellow law enforcement officers without a license.
DOJ spokeswoman Dana Brueck said Thursday that Smith has not been put on leave and “DOJ has not commenced any internal investigation.” She said the agency is ” not aware of any credible information” that would support the allegations.
