This must have been what the GOP conventioneers meant when they said drill, baby, drill.
As Congress prepares to debate expansion of drilling in taxpayer-owned coastal waters, the Interior Department agency that collects oil and gas royalties has been caught up in a wide-ranging ethics scandal — including allegations of financial self-dealing, accepting gifts from energy companies, cocaine use and sexual misconduct.
In three reports delivered to Congress on Wednesday, the department’s inspector general, Earl E. Devaney, found wrongdoing by a dozen current and former employees of the Minerals Management Service, which collects about $10 billion in royalties annually and is one of the government’s largest sources of revenue other than taxes.
‘A culture of ethical failure’ besets the agency, Mr. Devaney wrote in a cover memo.
The reports portray a dysfunctional organization that has been riddled with conflicts of interest, unprofessional behavior and a free-for-all atmosphere for much of the Bush administration’s watch.
“it’s ok McCain left Carol after her accident. He’s white like me”-Repubs
Y’know, as unadmirable as such behavior may be I don’t see the drinking, drugs and sex as something to take them to task for unless it was provided for free to influence their behavior.
“Drinking at industry functions” = not a big deal.
Being given free alcohol etc in exchange for contracts = OK, now you’ve got something.