Senior EPA official Joseph Goffman retained his position thanks to federal prosecutors opting not to pursue further investigation into blatant conflict-of-interest corruption.
The Washington Free Beacon reported that Goffman, currently serving at the Environment Protection Agency as the head of the Office of Air and Radiation and an assistant administrator, has come under scrutiny after a report by the agency's Office of Inspector General.
The report detailed allegations of his involvement in crafting regulations that potentially influenced companies in which he maintained financial investments.
This situation first came to light when the Inspector General noted discrepancies and potential conflicts in Goffman’s activities. Notably, Goffman had invested in companies like Sherwin Williams, Abbott Laboratories, Johnson & Johnson, and Medtronic, while being actively involved in drafting EPA regulations that affected these companies.
The extent of the conflict became more apparent during the investigation. The EPA regulations in question included environmental restrictions on paint manufacturing and the use of ethylene oxide, a chemical used for sterilization — both areas where the aforementioned companies had significant stakes.
Following the investigation, the Inspector General expanded their scope to include a more detailed look into Goffman’s failure to reassess his financial holdings in relation to his regulatory duties.
This inquiry was aimed at understanding the depth of the conflict and ensuring comprehensive oversight of ethical standards within the EPA.
Goffman's engagement with EPA ethics officials was sporadic, only approaching them once after his nomination for the assistant administrator position.
This lack of consistent communication raised concerns about the robustness of the ethical oversight concerning his financial interests within the agency.
Upon concluding their investigation, the Inspector General referred their findings on Goffman’s potential conflicts to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.
Interestingly, this referral was directed to the office's civil division, and no criminal referral was made, indicating the complexity and possible nuances in the case.
The reaction to the investigation’s findings has been notably mixed. Michael Chamberlain, director of Protect the Public's Trust, criticized Goffman's ethical adherence, suggesting that Goffman did not fully respect the ethical boundaries set by his position.
Chamberlain continued by emphasizing the gravity of such referrals by inspector generals, urging a thorough reconsideration of the oversight mechanisms in place.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito voiced concerns over the implications of the regulatory measures spearheaded by Goffman's office, pointing to economic and societal costs.
"This report deepens my concerns with the onslaught of regulations Assistant Administrator Goffman’s office has issued in the past three and half years," stated Capito.
In contrast, EPA spokesperson Nick Conger defended the agency’s decision-making processes, asserting confidence in the integrity and transparency of the EPA’s rule-making under consistent scrutiny for scientific validity.
The federal prosecutors' decision to accept the Inspector General's findings without further investigation has sparked a debate about the efficacy of current ethical frameworks governing senior federal officials' financial interests.