Subpoena issued over 'Fast and Furious'

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., says he is subpoenaing U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder for documents related to the "Fast and Furious" weapons operation.

The chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee issued the subpoena for documents related to the controversial program which allegedly intentionally allowed assault weapons and military-grade sniper rifles to escape into criminal networks, Roll Call reported Wednesday.

"Top Justice Department officials, including Attorney General Holder, know more about Operation Fast and Furious than they have publicly acknowledged," Issa said. "It's time we know the whole truth."

At a May 3 hearing Holder had told Issa he "probably heard about Fast and Furious for the first time over the last few weeks," but Issa said internal memos to Holder from as early as nine months prior to the hearing mentioned the program, run by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The subpoena seeks communications about the program among 15 other top Justice Department officials including three current and former deputy attorney generals.