Dig it! * IG of Abramoff Fame to Oversee Stimulus Spending *

[chill_wind]

ProPublica

IG of Abramoff Fame to Oversee Stimulus Spending

by Christopher Weaver, ProPublica - February 24, 2009 11:11 am EST

Earl Devaney, the inspector general behind such classic exposes of government graft as the Jack Abramoff scandal and last autumn's revelations of sex, drugs and corruption at a Department of Interior program, will turn his scrutiny to the stimulus package.

President Obama named Devaney to chair the Recovery Act Transparency and Accountability Board on Monday, saying in a statement: "Joe and I can't think of a more tenacious and efficient guardian of the hard-earned tax dollars the American people have entrusted us to wisely invest."

By all accounts, Devaney, a former white-collar crime expert in the Secret Service, has earned the praise. The Project on Government Oversight, a group that's repeatedly dinged the Obama administration over transparency issues and living up to its own ethics standards, wrote glowingly of the latest appointment.

"The 'Big Guy,' as is known around IG circles, is no typical Washington insider," they said . "He still maintains POGO's favorite emotion -- outrage -- when there is misconduct in the handling of federal funds."

more: http://www.propublica.org/article/ig-of-abramoff-fame-to-oversee-stimulus-spending

TIME

Stimulus Watchdog Earl Devaney
By Dan Fletcher Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009


On Monday, President Obama tasked one-time cop and Secret Service agent Earl Devaney with his largest policing job yet: monitoring spending of the administration's $787 billion stimulus plan.

Obama announced his selection of Devaney, currently inspector general at the Department of the Interior, as chairman of the new Recovery Act Transparency and Accountability Board. Devaney will work with Vice President Joe Biden to monitor for wasteful spending and issue periodic reports to the public. It's a familiar watchdog role for the long-time government servant. During his tenure at Interior, Devaney uncovered the shady dealings of disgraced ex-lobbyist Jack Abramoff, an investigation that eventually led to Abramoff's imprisonment and the resignation of Interior's no. 2, J. Steven Griles, for lying under oath about his own role in the scandal. Devaney previously worked as the chief of criminal enforcement at the Environmental Protection Agency, where he was responsible for heading up all the agency's criminal investigations. (See pictures of 25 people to blame for the financial crisis.)

Devaney won't have a lot of time to get situated in his new position; states will receive the first stimulus funds on Wednesday. Obama has already warned governors that the stimulus money is "not a blank check" and that he plans to treat misappropriations harshly. If Devaney's history is any indication, Obama has found a watchdog quite capable of letting him — and the public — know about any malfeasance.

more: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1881351,00.html

[Jennicut]

1. Earl Devaney is someone I would not mess with, for sure.

[monmouth]

2. He's one of those guys you look at and just instinctively know he is right

for the job. He was warmly met last night as both repugs and dems shook his hand. Obviously well respected with a reputation for not being someone you want to mess with. I have not been unhappy with many of POTUS picks (Geithner, well, we'll see) but Devaney jumps out to me at least, as being a great pick. His demeanor alone would discourage "games" and I think I'll go ahead and feel a little sorry for whomever decides to "play" him. Way to go Mr. Prez, another good selection.

[chill_wind]

4. I'm seriously delighted..

We need this guy (like yesterday). Well chosen.

[chill_wind]

3. MMS Scandal (refresher)

Federal Times

(sex, drugs, and minerals)

http://www.federaltimes.com/index.php?S=3722136