A controversy over allegations that a California undercover FBI agent paid for prostitutes for himself and targets of a gun trafficking sting in the Philippines seems to be picking up some steam.

The latest: Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Ia.) fired off a letter to FBI Director Robert S. Mueller on Wednesday demanding answers.

Ticklethewire.com was first to report on the allegations that were made by John Littrell, a deputy Federal Defender in Southern California. The office filed a motion in Los Angeles District Court on Sept. 17 asking the judge to dismiss the gun trafficking case against three defendants because of egregious governmental misconduct.

The office alleged that the the agent paid for prostitutes for himself and the three defendants, and that one brothel was raided by Philippine authorities who found underaged girls and signs of sex trafficking.

In his letter Grassley wrote:

 In light of this information, I ask that you provide a briefing to my staff on this issue as soon as possible. I also request that you come prepared to answer the following questions:

1) Of the $14,500 requested by the undercover agent for reimbursement, how much was the agent actually reimbursed by the FBI?

2) Was the undercover FBI agent the case agent for this weapons-trafficking investigation? If not, did the case agent authorize the expenses at the brothels in this undercover operation?

Sen. Grassley/official photo

3) Did any other U.S. law enforcement or embassy personnel visit these brothels with the undercover FBI agent? Please list each agency, the number of employees involved, each individual’s role, and whether they were a recipient of the services for which reimbursement was requested of the FBI.

4) Was any of the activity for which reimbursement was requested recorded by wire or video surveillance? If so, which activity? Please provide all recordings.

5) What other U.S. law enforcement or embassy personnel participated in the Philippines in the overall weapons-trafficking investigation? Please list each agency, the number of employees involved, and their role.

6) Was the first-line supervisor of the undercover FBI agent and/or case agent aware of the undercover agent’s visits to brothels? What other supervisors were informed?

7) When and how did FBI headquarters become aware of these allegations against this FBI agent working in the Philippines?

*What actions were taken by FBI headquarters to investigate these allegations?

9) Has discipline been proposed for any FBI employees (agents or other personnel) in connection with this? If so, please describe the circumstances and procedural standing of the proposed discipline.

10)When did FBI supervisors become aware that minors may have been involved at these brothels?

James R. Hoffa

 Nearly four decades after Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa went missing, the FBI continues to investigate tips that lead agents to dead ends.

This time a local police department is investigating a tip that Hoffa may be buried underneath a driveway in Roseville, a suburb of Detroit, not far from where Hoffa disappeared, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Last week, the Department of Environmental Quality found “an anomaly” under the driveway using ground-scanning radar, according to the Free Press.

Authorities are expected to take soil samples from the site Friday.

A forensic anthropologist also will be headed to the scene, the Free Press reported.

Tips about Hoffa’s whereabouts have led the FBI to search dozens of locations nationwide – all to no avail.

Steve Neavling

 FBI agents are having a hard time investigating the killings of four Americans at a U.S. consulate in Libya because they can’t get clearance from the country’s leaders to enter the city of Benghazi, CNN reports.

Making matters worse, the crime scene has not been secured, according to CNN, citing sources.

Libya also has denied the FBI’s request to interview suspects in custody, CNN reported.

The attack on the consulate occurred during a protest over a film that mocked Muslim Prophet Mohammed.

Steve Neavling

The North Carolina sheriff accused of targeting Latinos in illegal arrests won’t reach a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department, his attorney said, the Associated Press reports.

Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson did nothing wrong and his deputies never discriminated against Latinos, his attorney S.C. Kitchen told government officials Wednesday, according to the AP.

The Justice Department accuses Johnson of abusing his authority by ordering the arrests of Latino-looking motorists in hopes of boosting deportation cases.

Without a settlement, the Justice Department may sue the sheriff following complaints of racial profiling.

white house photo

 Authorities have arrested a Kentucky man accused of running through a roadblock with three guns and plenty of ammo during a visit from President Barack Obama in Cincinnati, WLMT News 5 reports.

The Sept. 17 incident happened while Obama’s motorcade passed through northern Kentucky

The ATF says Kerry T. Prater has a lengthy criminal record and may be mentally ill, News 5 reported.

Prater is accused of breaching the roadblock and refusing to exit his car before a local police officer forced him off the road, according to News 5.

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