Claims against EPA chief dismissed

July 18, 2002

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Heilprin - Associated Press

Wednesday, July 17, 2002

Washington --- Independent federal investigators concluded there is no basis

for an ombudsman's claims that Environmental Protection Agency Administrator

Christie Whitman had a conflict of interest in three large-scale cleanups,

including the World Trade Center.

The report by the EPA inspector general's office, a copy of which was

obtained late Tuesday by The Associated Press, concludes ''the allegations

were not substantiated, criminal prosecution was declined, and thus, no

further investigation is warranted in this matter.''

Investigators from the EPA and the Justice Department spent seven months

looking into claims by former EPA ombudsman and his senior

aide, Hugh Kaufman, that Whitman had a personal financial interest

influencing decisions at the cleanup in New York and two Superfund toxic

waste sites, Shattuck Chemical Co. in Denver and Marjol Battery and

Equipment Co. in Throop, Pa.

''I'm pleased that the inspector general conducted such a thorough

investigation,'' Whitman said. ''As both governor and EPA administrator,

upholding the highest ethical standard has always been of utmost importance

to me. This report confirms that fact.''

Earlier Tuesday, congressional auditors who recommended that the EPA's

ombudsman be relocated said the plan still needs to be changed to ensure

officials can work independently of each other.

''An effective ombudsman must have both actual and apparent independence

from any person who may be the subject of a complaint or inquiry,'' said

son, who directs environmental inquiries by Congress'

investigative arm, the General Accounting Office.

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