This is a sad story -- someone put me onto this last weekend.
Basically, the Obama Administration has just fired an Inspector General for doing his job. He likely would have retained said job should the subject of his investigation not been a long-time friend and supporter of Obama, former NBA star, head of non-profit St. HOPE, and recently elected Sacramento Mayor, Kevin Johnson. When it became clear that Johnson was essentially stealing the $860,000 recently sent for "tutoring for Sacramento-area students; the redevelopment of several buildings; and theater and art programs", IG Walpin did his job by suspending Johnson from receiving federal funds and got fired for it. Full story from the WSJ - The White House Fires a Watchdog.
For me, this is a huge blow to the credibility of the 'No more politics as usual' claims being made by the new administration and the "Change" platform upon which they ran. I'm saddened to see such blatant and borderline-criminal misuse of power (it is illegal to fire an IG on the spot, he needs 30 days notice -- and pressuring him to resign is of equally dubious legality). This man is supposed to be above political pressure for obvious reasons; a watchdog able to act and investigate freely... I don't know how often this kind of thing happens, but it's not a great sign...
Who's watching out for the watchers?
/eh
Basically, the Obama Administration has just fired an Inspector General for doing his job. He likely would have retained said job should the subject of his investigation not been a long-time friend and supporter of Obama, former NBA star, head of non-profit St. HOPE, and recently elected Sacramento Mayor, Kevin Johnson. When it became clear that Johnson was essentially stealing the $860,000 recently sent for "tutoring for Sacramento-area students; the redevelopment of several buildings; and theater and art programs", IG Walpin did his job by suspending Johnson from receiving federal funds and got fired for it. Full story from the WSJ - The White House Fires a Watchdog.
For me, this is a huge blow to the credibility of the 'No more politics as usual' claims being made by the new administration and the "Change" platform upon which they ran. I'm saddened to see such blatant and borderline-criminal misuse of power (it is illegal to fire an IG on the spot, he needs 30 days notice -- and pressuring him to resign is of equally dubious legality). This man is supposed to be above political pressure for obvious reasons; a watchdog able to act and investigate freely... I don't know how often this kind of thing happens, but it's not a great sign...
Who's watching out for the watchers?
/eh