>-----------------------------------------------------------
>
>EPA OMBUDSMAN CLAIMS 'HARASSMENT'
>
>Audrey Hudson
>THE WASHINGTON TIMES
>
>-----------------------------------------------------------
>
>The Environmental Protection Agency's independent
>investigator said the agency violated a court order this
>week by trying to confiscate his files, which may be
>embarrassing to EPA Administrator Christie Whitman.
>
>Mrs. Whitman tried to dissolve the ombudsman position held
>by Robert J. Martin earlier this month, and to move the
>files into the office of the inspector general.
>
>However, a temporary restraining order against the move was
>issued by U.S. District Court Judge Richard W. Roberts until
>a full hearing could be held.
>
>The order is in effect until Feb. 26.
>
>A spokesman for Mr. Martin, Hugh B. Kaufman, said five
>employees attempted to remove all files, records and file
>cabinets on Wednesday but were stopped by a senior
>scientist.
>
>Mr. Kaufman called the incident harassment and said it was
>retaliation against Mr. Martin for investigations that
>exposed a financial conflict of interest between Mrs.
>Whitman's husband and polluters at two cleanup sites.
>
>EPA spokesman Joe Martyak did not return calls yesterday for
>comment.
>
>In a memo to Mrs. Whitman, Mr. Kaufman sought assurances
>"files that may be embarrassing to you and/or EPA will not
>disappear in the future."
>
>John Whitman is the managing partner of a venture capital
>firm controlled by Citicorp, a subsidiary of Citigroup, a
>diversified financial corporation.
>
>Additionally, Citigroup stocks valued between $100,000 and
>$250,000 are listed in Mrs. Whitman's financial disclosure
>statement.
>
>Citigroup is responsible for the original botched cleanup of
>the Shattuck Superfund site in Colorado and will pay
>one-fifth of the $35 million cost. A Citigroup financial
>partner also is responsible for the cleanup at the Marjol
>Battery in Pennsylvania.
>
>Mr. Martin's files contain information on both cleanup
>operations, and his investigations are supported by key
>Senate Republicans.
>
>"Since this action on your part and/or the part of EPA
>officials under your influence or control is a direct
>violation of Judge Roberts' orders of Jan. 11, 2002, I
>respectfully ask that you cease and desist your continued
>illegal actions in retaliation against National Ombudsman
>Martin for honestly performing his duties, even if those
>duties might end up costing Citigroup (the company you have
>a financial conflict of interest in) more money in cleaning
>up hazardous waste sites," Mr. Kaufman said in the memo to
>Mrs. Whitman.
>
>A spokesman for Sen. Wayne Allard, Colorado Republican, said
>any violation of the court order is "unacceptable."
>
>"We must obey the law in this case, and the EPA is not above
>the law," said spokesman Sean Conway.
>
> "For them to be acting in this manner is extremely
>disappointing to Senator Allard."
>
>Mr. Martin and Mr. Kaufman met yesterday with Sen. Michael
>D. Crapo, Idaho Republican.
>
>Mr. Crapo finds the apparent violation distressing,
>spokeswoman Susan Wheeler said after the meeting.
>
>"Senator Crapo wants the ombudsman to be able to do his work
>as independently and as effectively as possible," Miss
>Wheeler said.
>
>The ombudsman's office handles citizen complaints and has
>been critical of the Clinton administration. Mrs. Whitman
>wants to combine that office with the inspector general's
>operation.
>
>Mr. Martin's office is also at odds with the EPA over the
>reopening of the Hart Senate Office Building and initial
>testing of air quality at the cleanup site of the World
>Trade Center.
>
>Mr. Martin said toxic chemical gas used to fumigate the
>anthrax-contaminated Hart Building could pose a long-term
>health threat to senators and congressional staffers.
>
> He also said the cleanup could have been accomplished for
>less money using safer, nonchemical treatments.
>
> Mr. Kaufman also said no samples were taken of air quality
>at apartments and office buildings near ground zero.
>
>
>-----------------------------------------------------------
>This article was mailed from The Washington Times
>(http://www.washtimes.com/national/20020125-346331.htm)
>For more great articles, visit us at
>http://www.washtimes.com
>
>Copyright (c) 2001 News World Communications, Inc. All
>rights reserved.
>
>




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