Blistering attack on Interior...gov't investigator finds widespread fraud

[Hamlette]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/14/business/14oil.html?hp&ex=1158292800&en=e037ab0d28e9ddb2&ei=5094&partner=homepage

The Interior Department’s chief official responsible for investigating abuses and overseeing operations accused the top officials at the agency on Wednesday of tolerating widespread ethical failures, from cronyism to cover-ups of incompetence.

“Simply stated, short of a crime, anything goes at the highest levels of the Department of the Interior,”

snip

The blistering attack was part of Mr. Devaney’s report on what he called the Interior Department’s “bureaucratic bungling” of oil and gas leases signed in the late 1990’s, mistakes that are now expected to cost the government billions of dollars but were covered up for six years.

While these leases were the specific focus of the hearing, Mr. Devaney directed most of his criticism at what he called a broader organizational culture at the Interior Department of denial and “defending the indefensible.”

end

this almost reads like something from The Onion.

Gee, I wonder if the administration will award the Sec'y of the Interior a medal or fire him.

Would be nice if this got more play.

[babylonsister]

1. I keep reading that dimson has insinuated us into Iraq for the oil.

He claims he wants to find other avenues to combat that thought. What is real? Was it real prior to him attacking Iraq, and now, not so much?
Did Mr. Devaney explore Iraq and the fubar there? Interesting timeline. Let me guess-clenis' fault!

[Syrinx]

2. microcosm of the Bush Administration

Excerpt for the part about "short of a crime."

[acmavm]

4. Yeah, I took exception to the 'short of a crime' remark as well.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

7. Sometimes it's good to actually read the article.

The leases, signed in 1998 and 1999 during the Clinton administration, allow companies to escape normal federal royalties — usually 12.5 percent of sales — on the tens of millions of barrels of oil on each lease

edit for typo in subject line.

[NVMojo]

3. this is despicable and long term ...

[annabanana]

5. Cheney's secret energy "policy" at work...

Policy = blindfold them, club them, steal stuff

[SpiralHawk]

6. republicons = crony corruption

synonyms. The republicons have no honor, no integrity...

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. This department is corrupt, no matter what party is in power.

Can anyone please explain why we haven't removed the careerist out of that agency?