Interior Dept. + Financial Hanky-Panky + Sex = Scandal!
Three reports from the Department of Interior's inspector general found wide-ranging ethics violations between the department's Minerals Management Service and the energy companies from which it is charged with collecting royalties. Allegations of financial improprieties, illegal gifts, and even the occasional sex- and drug-crazed indiscretion created what the author of the reports called "a culture of ethical failure" within the agency. Ouch.
Three reports from the Department of Interior’s inspector general found wide-ranging ethics violations between the department’s Minerals Management Service and the energy companies from which it is charged with collecting royalties. Allegations of financial improprieties, illegal gifts, and even the occasional sex- and drug-crazed indiscretion created what the author of the reports called “a culture of ethical failure” within the agency. Ouch.
Your support matters…The New York Times:
As Congress prepares to debate expansion of drilling in taxpayer-owned coastal waters, the Interior Department agency that collects oil and gas royalties has been caught up in a wide-ranging ethics scandal — including allegations of financial self-dealing, accepting gifts from energy companies, cocaine use and sexual misconduct.
In three reports delivered to Congress on Wednesday, the department’s inspector general, Earl E. Devaney, found wrongdoing by a dozen current and former employees of the Minerals Management Service, which collects about $10 billion in royalties annually and is one of the government’s largest sources of revenue other than taxes.
“A culture of ethical failure” besets the agency, Mr. Devaney wrote in a cover memo.
The reports portray a dysfunctional organization that has been riddled with conflicts of interest, unprofessional behavior and a free-for-all atmosphere for much of the Bush administration’s watch.
Independent journalism is under threat and overshadowed by heavily funded mainstream media.
You can help level the playing field. Become a member.
Your tax-deductible contribution keeps us digging beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that unearths what's really happening- without compromise.
Give today to support our courageous, independent journalists.
Military
A new report exposes a largely unknown fellowship that gives major arms companies outsized influence in defense policy.
Economic Justice
The no-bid micro contracts awarded to vendors at the center of a bribery scandal are rife with wildly inflated costs, an analysis finds.
Middle East
Following a two month recess issued in the wake of the October 7 attack by Hamas, the Israeli Prime Minister's corruption trial is set to resume.
Interview
Despite the countless crises faced by people in Lebanon in the past few decades, many say they can't imagine living anywhere else.
TD Original
Paul Singer’s relationship to Samuel Alito illuminates how U.S. law enables vulture funds to deepen immiseration across the Global South.
Americas
Bogus allegations of electoral fraud are being leveled at Movimiento Semilla, which stunned the political establishment by finishing as runner-up in the first round of presidential elections.
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.