Whistleblower: Oil watchdog agency 'cult of corruption'

[RamboLiberal]

Source: CNN

Bobby Maxwell kept a close eye on the oil industry for more than 20 years as a government auditor. But he said the federal agency he worked for is now a "cult of corruption" -- a claim backed up by a recent government report.

"I believe the management we were under was showing favoritism to the oil industry," Maxwell told CNN.

Maxwell is referring to a tiny agency within the Department of the Interior called the Minerals Management Service, which manages the nation's natural gas, oil and other mineral resources on federal lands.

A report, conducted by the Interior Department's inspector general and released earlier this month, found that employees at the agency received improper gifts from energy industry officials and engaged with them in illegal drug use and inappropriate sexual relations. It looked at activities at the agency from 2003 through 2006.

Maxwell said the report doesn't surprise him. The agency, he said, is corrupt "top to bottom."


Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/10/14/oil.whistleblower/index.html

[fascisthunter]

1. Let Me Guess: They Vote Republican

They love deregulating, and they love fucking up our Federal Government.

"Because.... ya knowwwww.... the Federal Government is baaaaaaaddddd!"

[SpiralHawk]

5. Actually, they are republicons

This is the level that they have degenerated to over the last 20 years -- a freaking republicon curse of complete corruption on the back of America.

[MadMaddie]

2. Anyone surprised! My guess those that are running it are former

Oil lobbyist, just like the Coal industry dude!

Once Obama is in office, all government agencies will have to be reviewed and all leadership positions will have to validate if qualified personel are in place.

[Raster]

3. I'm going to go out on a limb, but I'll bet you "qualified" is anyone that took their orders

from cheney*/bush* without question. Every governmental agency is suspect.

[MadMaddie]

4. And your assumption would be correct!

I think that all offices have been corrupted! I am betting that the Obama team is already looking at this as part of their transition and will hit the ground running.

[shanti]

8. right

a complete cleaning from top to bottom is way overdue, and hopefully, obama will be the one to do it!

[Doremus]

9. Very true. Unfortunately, these no-talent partisans have been

burrowing in for several years. New civil service positions have been created for them and/or their current positions have been designated civil service, and they will be difficult to cull.

Our government agencies are like hollowed out trees infested with termites. It's going to take a gargantuan effort to rehabilitate them.

[Laelth]

10. Sixteen years of a Democratic Administration ought to do it. n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[elleng]

6. Interior Department ('the agency')

has been/considered that way for a long time!

[The Brethren]

7. Another example

of a good idea gone verrrrry bad. Time for some federal overhauls.

[mackerel]

11. You know what they say - locked doors keep people honest.

Regulations are there for everyone's protection. I wouldn't be surprised if there was sexual coercion rather than sexual favors.