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Letter critical of Obama nominee

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Feb 1, 2013 at 6:56 am

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) A former head of the Minneapolis FBI office sent federal lawmakers a letter Thursday sharply criticizing President Barack Obama's nominee to lead the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Donald Oswald, a former special agent in charge in Minneapolis, says that B. Todd Jones an ineffective leader who consistently declined to prosecute violent gang and gun crimes.

Oswald's letter mailed to Senate Judiciary Committee members Thursday says that he felt morally compelled to share what he called Jones' ``atrocious professional reputation'' among Minnesota law enforcement officers.

Oswald said he felt he could speak out because he has retired, while active law enforcement authorities might fear retaliation.

Obama announced in mid-January that he would nominate Jones to lead the ATF, an agency that hasn't had a permanent director for six years.