Friday, January 30, 2009

New scrutiny for Interior unit

U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Thursday that he has ordered a re-examination of the scandalized Interior Department division based in Lakewood, including why the U.S. Justice Department did not pursue more criminal prosecutions. Two convictions resulted from a wide-ranging inspector-general inquiry that last year exposed improper relationships between Minerals Management Service employees and energy firms, in addition to self-dealing by some staffers. As many as 10 people were terminated or disciplined. But Salazar stressed that he wants to examine why Bush administration prosecutors in the public-integrity unit didn't pursue criminal cases against others. "There's a new sheriff in town," Salazar said during a news conference at the MMS complex. "We will be visiting with the new U.S. attorney general and take a new look at it."

From the Denver Post.

No comments: