Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior Department and Other Related Agencies, today issued the following statement regarding the Interior Department’s IG report:

"I’m shocked and extremely concerned by these reports.  My staff and I have not had an opportunity to finish reviewing the three un-redacted reports, which total more than 1,500 pages. We will do so as soon as possible. 

But what I’ve seen thus far indicates an agency beset by corruption, disregard for ethical and professional standards, and serious failures of management. This is completely unacceptable.

It’s critical that we see the response from Interior Secretary Kempthorne. We need to know what policies and procedures he has changed to ensure that this cannot happen again.  Additionally, we are trying to find out why the Justice Department has not yet taken any action.

This is a very serious matter and deserves very serious scrutiny.”    

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