Senior Interior Official Flees Into Grand Canyon To Avoid Testifying

Washington, DC — Interior Deputy Secretary Steven Griles attempted to miss a critical legal hearing by claiming the need to “be on official travel on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon for the entire week,” according to an agency filing released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).

The hearing that Griles seeks to avoid will determine the legality of the decision this past July to remove U.S. Park Police Chief Teresa Chambers. Griles, the second ranking official and the self-described “Chief Operating Officer” at Interior, is a key witness on “disciplinary” charges leveled at Chief Chambers.

In an August 24th deposition taken at PEER’s offices, Griles proved to be a reluctant witness against Chambers, breaking down twice and asking for breaks following questions concerning his personal views as to whether the Interior Department treated Teresa Chambers fairly. In his deposition, Griles confessed that several of the charges against Chambers appeared to lack merit, including admissions that —

· Chief Chambers broke no rule in bringing a personnel matter to him, thus undercutting a charge that Chief Chambers circumvented the chain of command;

· Chief Chambers’ interview with the Washington Post did not constitute ‘lobbying” as maintained in another of the charges. Griles is also a former lobbyist; and

· The abrupt transfer of a top deputy over Chambers’ objections was “arbitrary” and would have disrupted budget preparations. Griles sided with Chief Chambers in reversing the detailing of the deputy.

EDIT

“How do taxpayers benefit from having Steve Griles paddle a raft?” asked Ruch, noting that the National Park Service agreed to limit unnecessary travel but that Griles is exempt from this economy move. “The only thing ‘official’ about this rafting junket is that a high official is along for the ride.”

EDIT

http://www.ems.org/nws/2004/09/07/griles_raft_trip

And it means the nation will not be served well.