As a U.S. House committee looked at allegations that a special homeland security unit within the Environmental Protection Agency was blocking investigations by the EPA's Inspector General, lawmakers also veered into other internal probes at that agency, demanding to know why it is so difficult to get rid of federal workers involved in on-the-job misconduct.
"When we have an employee who is looking at over 600 porn sites in a four day period - and it's there in black and white - fire them!" said Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT).
At the hearing, investigators detailed for lawmakers how a six figure EPA employee had admitted watching large amounts of porn on the job; he remains on the payroll, but his case has been referred to the Justice Department for possible prosecution.
"So this guy is making $125,000, spending two to six hours a day looking at porno," said Rep. John Mica (R-FL), who was told by officials that the worker had been given performance awards - despite one time spending four straight hours on a website called, "Sadism is Beautiful."
"How much pornography would it take for an EPA employee to lose their job?" asked a frustrated Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA).
There was no concrete response from officials, given the lengthy process that it takes for the federal government to "separate" an employee from the civil service.
One note about this case - when an agent from the IG's office went to interview the employee in question about his porn habit - that agent found the man sitting at his desk - watching porn.
"The OIG’s investigation determined that the employee downloaded and viewed more than 7,000 pornographic files during duty hours," the IG's office reported.
Other cases discussed before the House Oversight Committee included an EPA employee who had been tele-working from home for 20 years - but not really producing anything on a regular basis - seemingly with the backing of the boss.
"It is estimated that the manager’s approval of fraudulent time-and-attendance records cost the government more than $500,000," said Allan Williams of the EPA Inspector General's office.
Williams detailed for lawmakers how the manager allowed the employee to not show up at work, not produce any work of value for the agency, and yet still give that employee "exemplary performance appraisals that resulted in a cash award to the employee."
"Just unbelievable," said a disgusted Rep. Mica.
"We need to find some way to fire these folks," Mica added.
Turf battle inside EPA
As for the charges related to obstruction of investigations by the Inspector General at the EPA, at times, the hearing seemed more like a meeting in a company's Human Resources office, where lawmakers were the ones trying to get fellow EPA employees to work together.
"You know, it's a damn shame that we had to come to a hearing in order for you all to communicate," said an aggravated Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD).
"Right now, they are sharing nothing," said EPA Inspector General Patrick Sullivan, pointing the finger at a special homeland security group within the EPA, saying his office has been repeatedly blocked from conducting internal investigations by that group.
"It is completely dysfunctional," Sullivan said as the hearing ended.
One special agent from Sullivan's office detailed for lawmakers how she attempted to question one worker in the special Homeland Security Unit at EPA - but soon she found herself being berated by that employee.
"He repeatedly jabbed his finger at me, merely inches from my chest, and as he got more aggressive, his complexion heated, his veins bulged, and he began to sweat profusely," said agent Elizabeth Heller Drake.
On the receiving end of all the complaints was a lone top official at the EPA, Deputy Administrator Robert Perciasepe, who repeatedly said he thought some of the troubles had been solved.
"We can do better," Rep. Cummings told Perciasepe at one point. "Don't you agree?"
"Yes," Perciasepe answered, with a caveat.
"I thought we had procedures in place; I'll have to go back," said Perciasepe.
You can read some of the details of the IG testimony here.
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