It's worse than that.
The ATF is doing this on purpose to expand it's power. Remember all those stories of US guns showing up in Mexico? This is it. The ATF is pushing those guns across the border so it can come back to DC and push for more power and control. With this Administrations full knowledge, or at least complicit in it.
If all true, it is clear they have adopted the successful J.Edgar Hoover “Bureau Growth Model” and, in this instance, put some cash in some “underpaid” pockets.
Hat tip and major thanks to hard working, decent agents.