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For Immediate Release
"Culture of ethical failure" at MMS reinforces influence of Big Oil
Statement from Defenders of Wildlife President Rodger Schlickeisen
WASHINGTON – A new report from the inspector general’s office at the Department of the Interior has revealed that more than a dozen current and former employees of the Minerals Management Service (MMS) – the agency responsible for overseeing royalty payments made by energy companies drilling on public lands – accepted financial gifts and other favors from the very companies whose activities they were expected to police.
The following is a statement by Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife.
“Today’s revelations demonstrate once more that the Bush administration is deep in the pocket of Big Oil. Never have I heard of such a blatant case of agency officials taking gifts from industry in exchange for preferential treatment.
“This is the agency responsible for making sure that energy drilling on public lands benefits the American public – yet MMS employees were funneling those benefits into their own pockets. Big Oil is skimming the fat off American lands, and our own government is helping them do it.
“The report estimates that these corrupt employees may have cost American taxpayers millions of dollars in lost revenues. I say the real cost is even higher. Every time our government puts the cravings of the energy industry ahead of the needs of the American public, Americans lose. And recent calls to open even more American lands and waters to drilling show that Big Oil’s influence is still going strong.
“Drug addicts at MMS, oil addiction in the White House – it’s time to kick the habit and kick Big Oil out of our government.”
Read the full report from the inspector general's office at the Department of the Interior.
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Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.org.
