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Retired agent awarded $173,000 in ATF lawsuit

By WTOP Staff

JACQUES BILLEAUD
Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) — A retired federal agent was awarded $173,000 after a judge found the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives breached a 2007 settlement that resolved the agent’s complaint that the agency didn’t properly investigate threats made against him after his undercover investigation of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.

Judge Francis Allegra of the United States Court of Federal Claims said in a ruling publicly released Tuesday that the agency’s conduct in dealing with Agent Jay Dobyns constituted a breach of good faith. The judge rejected the ATF’s claim that Dobyns violated his employment contract by publishing a book on the Hells Angels investigation.

In the early 2000s, Dobyns posed as a member of a Tijuana-based motorcycle club and staged a fake murder of a rival group member that led to him getting voted in as a full Hells Angels member. Threats were made against the agent and his family after his identity was revealed in court.

The 2007 settlement between Dobyns and the agency resolved the agent’s complaint that the ATF improperly investigated several threats against him and mismanaged his relocation after authorities said a Hells Angels member made a threat against him. As part of the settlement, the agency agreed to pay Dobyns $373,000 and review with him any escalating threats against the agent or his family.

About 11 months after the settlement was inked, an arson fire was started at Dobyns’ home in Tucson. His wife and children escaped the burning house without injury. Dobyns was in Phoenix at the time.

The judge said two agents who were involved in the arson investigation knew Dobyns wasn’t responsible for the fire but still allowed him to be treated as a suspect.

James Reed, an attorney representing Dobyns, said the question of who set the fire remains unanswered.

“They diverted resources away from pursuing those suspects,” Reed said. “We don’t know who did it. We don’t know who these people are.”

The judge said there was a clear indication that certain ATF employees breached an obligation to act in good faith and deal fairly with one another.

Allegra also said it was “evident that ATF officials failed to follow through” on implementing steps aimed at minimizing the risks to Dobyns and his family.

The ATF declined to comment on the ruling.

The judge said the agency failed to prove its claim that Dobyns breached his employment contract by publishing a book on the Hells Angels investigation. Allegra wrote that ATF officials knew of his book project before the 2007 settlement was agreed upon.

Dobyns retired from the ATF in January.

The $173,000 award is in addition to the $373,000 that Dobyns received as part of the 2007 settlement.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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