Gov't Watchdogs Under Attack From Bosses

[kpete]

Gov't Watchdogs Under Attack From Bosses
By LARRY MARGASAK, Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, December 27, 2006

(12-27) 18:23 PST WASHINGTON, (AP) --


The inspectors general entrusted to unearth waste, fraud and abuse in federal agencies are increasingly under attack, as top government officials they scrutinize try to erode the watchdogs' independence and authority.

..............................

For instance:

_The top official of the government's property and supply agency compared its inspector general to a terrorist, hoping to chill audits of General Services Administration regional offices and private businesses.

_Directors of the government's legal aid program discussed firing their inspector general, who investigated how top officials lavishly spent tax dollars for limousine services, ritzy hotels and $14 "Death by Chocolate" desserts.

_Administration-friendly Republicans in Congress tried to do away with the special inspector general for Iraq, who repeatedly exposed examples of administration waste that cost billions of dollars. Among the contractors criticized was Halliburton Corp., once headed by Vice President Dick Cheney.

_The Pentagon has been making its inspector general use lawyers picked by the defense secretary instead of independently hired attorneys.

"It's hard to believe that the government is serious about policing itself when it's whacking the people who are actually minding the store," said Danielle Brian, executive director of the Project On Government Oversight, a nonpartisan group that tracks government waste and fraud. "These people are our security officers who help guard tens of billions of dollars. It's ridiculous to prevent them from doing their jobs."

more at:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/12/27/national/w104449S82.DTL

[annabanana]

1. This is no surprise. The question is..

What will empowered Dems in Congress do on their watch?

[rumpel]

3. Perhaps, these IG's have to be independent and protected? n/t

[Jackpine Radical]

2. I imagine there will soon be a CNN special on this...?

[leveymg]

4. IGs should be given the same powers as Special Prosecutors, including

the power to issue subpoenas and convene Grand Juries, along with immunity from termination by Agency heads or the Attorney General. Threats against IGs should be prosecuted as Obstruction of Justice.

That's one piece of legislation that Congress should be working on.

[annabanana]

5. Wouldn't that be something that ANY admin. would fight?

R or D? Either way, it seems to me to be something that Congress ought to be able to do.