A Biden connection: The Amtrak IG scandal
Last week, Sen. Charles Grassley raised questions about the sudden “retirement” of Amtrak IG Fred Weiderhold:
As a senior member of the United States Senate and as the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Finance (Committee), it is my duty under the Constitution to ensure that Inspectors General, which were created by Congress, are permitted to operate without political pressure or interference from their respective agencies. Inspectors General were designed for the express purpose of combating waste, fraud, and abuse and to be independent watchdogs ensuring that federal agencies were held accountable for their actions. I understand that Inspector General Fred Weiderhold, Jr. has retired today.
Based on contacts that my staff had with Mr. Weiderhold on two recent occasions (April 2, 2009 and June 4, 2009), I understand that the OIG has suffered from repeated and continuous interference from the agency. After the most recent discussion, it was agreed that the OIG would provide, among other things, a White Paper and specific examples of agency interference with OIG audits and/or investigations. To date, the OIG has not yet provided any documents. As you know, any interference such as that was described in these previous discussions is a direct violation of the Inspector General Act of 1978.
In light of Mr. Weiderhold’s unexpected retirement, please provide the previously requested documentation immediately. I am deeply troubled that these aforementioned meetings with my staff and discussions of the OIG’s independence concerns predicated this personnel action with IG Weiderhold. Furthermore, I am even more concerned that there is a lack of accountability, based on the OIG’s reported lack of independence, for the $1.3 billion in stimulus funds that Amtrak has received from American taxpayers.
Due to these recent events, I specifically request all materials at the IG’s office be preserved immediately.
In addition to providing the requested documentation, please provide an immediate briefing to my staff on the level of proper oversight the OIG has over of the $1.3 billion dollars of American taxpayer money, and what role the previously discussed independence issues with the agency played in the elimination of former IG Weiderhold.
Stacy McCain detects the faint odor of cronyism and corruption:
Eleanor Acheson is vice president and general counsel at AmTrak, where inspector general Fred Wiederhold resigned Thursday without warning or explanation. Sen. Charles Grassley says Wiederhold’s unexpected resignation came after he was asked to provide “specific examples of agency interference with OIG audits and/or investigations.”
A bit more Googling shows Eleanor Acheson to be a Friend of Joe — Joe Biden, that is, Amtrak’s most famous rider and currently vice president of the United States. Wiederhold has said nothing publicly since his resignation five days ago.
Google doesn’t tell us whether the former Amtrak IG’s curious silence has anything to do with the well-connected legal honcho at Amtrak. At least, not yet.
The relationship goes beyond a campaign contribution.
Flasbhack 2007. Cozy:
Amtrak, the national passenger rail service that comes under regular congressional fire for its persistent deficit, has hired Jonathan Meyer as deputy general counsel.
Meyer, who leaves Capitol Hill after six years as nominations counsel to Sen. Joseph Biden Jr., D-Del., was hired by Amtrak’s new general counsel, Eleanor “Eldie” Acheson. The two worked together at the Clinton Justice Department when Acheson was assistant attorney general in charge of the Office of Policy Development, now known as the Office of Legal Policy.
Biden regularly rides Amtrak between Washington and his home in Wilmington, Del., and is one of the rail company’s staunchest Hill supporters. (Biden’s son is also on Amtrak’s board.) Despite those connections, Meyer says his hiring at Amtrak is merely a “happy coincidence.”
His relationship with Acheson, he says, predates his work on the Hill. “When Eldie was brought on to be general counsel in January, she wanted to bring in someone of her own, and she immediately asked me,” says Meyer. “I’ve really enjoyed working with her in the past.”
In his career Meyer has also practiced at then-Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering in Washington, D.C., and with Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York City.
And Biden’s son, Hunter, sits on Amtrak’s board of directors.
Take a whiff. Yep, smells like old-school cronyism to me, too.
All aboard!
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They are democrats so thier coruption is okay.
Transparancy at it’s best.
If you can’t see through this crap; you’re a fool and a demacrat.
After reading the above article, I had a sudden urge to shower.
How many does this make – four IG’s that have been fired or have resigned in recent weeks? When it gets to eight, will the left start screaming at Obama like they did at Bush for firing 8 U.S. Attorneys (who serve entirely at the discretion of the president)?
BTW, does anyone know how many U.S. Attorneys Obama has fired since taking office? (I did a Goggle search and found nothing about how many stayed and how many went.)
Gak. No thanks. How does one describe the stench of ripe hairplugs? aaaaghhhagaagagggkk
I guess they learned after the first three IG dismissals that it’s much better to find a way to get them to retire, which is what they tried to get Walpin to do, or quit. Then they don’t have to be bothered with that pesky law regarding 30 days notice.
Washington has always reeked of something or another, whether it be of cronyism or something else. Now I am able to smell it from my own front porch in Tennessee. Washington has hit a new low with Obama and the gang.
This administration makes low tide in Olongapo City smell good.
Ragman!!!
Where were you during the Bush years?
These charges sure ring true. Welcome to the ring tone school of political sluethery. Question: why did the guy himself not say anything? Walpin was not shy.
Obama Administration…….
…as pure as Paris Hilton’s mini-pad.
I want a public audit- we have been supporting AMTRAK for years so this should not be a problem.
Hangfire
I knew there had to be at least one other WestPac sailor out there.
LGM said:
BUT BUT BUT BUSSSSHHHHH!!!!!
lgm refers to Bush in 3..2..1..
Yep, the maroon train is on schedule!
Hey lgm! Any cogent thoughts on this IG story? (cups hand to ear…crickets)
On June 23rd, 2009 at 6:01 pm, J S Ragman said:
USS Skate SSN578 WestPac ‘83-’84
So it’s okay for you to speculate about Walpin’s silence, but it’s not okay for anyone to speculate as to why he retired?
Who’s being snarky now?
Awaiting specific examples from you of Bush Administration pressure on, undermining of, or sudden firings or retirements of IGs. But I won’t hold my breath.
Speaking of WestPac, this administration makes Olongapo City look good.
Ragman and Skate:
Oh the memories of Perfume River seem like purity of essence compared to this bozobama tactic.
WESTPAC 83, 86, 88, 91, 92 and 96 (only Manila on those last two)
LGM – go back to your cypherin’ cause Blame BOOSH and your tone deaf “ring true” test is getting mighty long in the tooth.
Hell, It makes the strret two tracks back from Magsaysay look decent anyhow
Olongapo City…..
where all the toilets flush twice a day (with the tide)
When Obambi gets done with Government Motors, we will all be riding in Jeepees.
driven by…drum roll…Biden’s nephew!
But they will be callin them the Plug Estate wagon.
The face of the thugocracy is peeking back at you.
Amtrak, 30+ years of good taxpayer money thrown down the drain.
Oh yeah, downright giddy…especially when one has friends in high places.
Anybody else wondering what they dug up on the former IG?
Wont be long before many towns here start looking like Po City.
It is quite easy to claim that only the Republicans have a “culture of corruption” when you make anyone that investigates Democrats “disappear” or “retire” isn’t it?
lgm is quick to point out any Bush failing, real or perceived (mostly the latter), but shouldn’t the “pure as snow” Democrats be better than that?
As it sits now, they are just better at it.
What force is it that allows Democrats to continue to live, breath and breed?
Cronyism may be bad form but that only seem to bother the Brits. Is it illegal? Is it illegal for the Mgr. of the local fast food place to give a job to his son or daughter? Is it illegal for a church Pastor to pass the pulpit to his son or brother or nephew? Or give his daughter a job in the church office?
I worked for a company owned by a man with the last name of King. The CFO was also a King as was the head of HR. Nobody thought anything about it. Several years ago I owned a business where I brought my sister in to help with her expertise. Is that illegal? I had no idea.
If it’s illegal, then bring charges. If it’s not illegal, it won’t do any good to keep wagging the finger at this or that person because in DC nobody seems to care and it doesn’t seem to change anyone’s mind about doing it on either side of the isle.
But, if the public cry’s loud enough, they’ll just pass a bill saying it’s OK. The O’s in the White House don’t care what you think. They have more than three and one half years ahead of them.
This is all very simple and has to be if Biden is involved.
As head RAT of the Recovery, Accountability and Transparency(RAT) board it his his job to know which rugs all the dirt has been swept under and stand on those rugs when any IG attempts to look under them.
The cronies are hired based on their ability to hide the trail well(good sweepers). IG’s attempting to look under the rug anyways are subject to the “remember what we did to Sarah Palin threat”, if they are still not convinced, they are fired for being confused!
Salt said (#16):
Walpin has not been silent. The Amtrak guy has. Why?
txvet2 said (#17):
Helloooo, were you aware that this was a big issue during the last few Bush years? Google US Attorney firing.
What is it about “serves at the pleasure of the President” do you not understand? But I guess in your mind it’s A-OK when a Democrat whacks all 93 US Attorneys.
Hellooo, are you aware that you’re trying to compare two entirely different things? The US Attorneys serve at the pleasure of the President. The Inspectors General have laws in place to protect them (supposedly).
You’re comparing apples to wombats.
But I guess in the mind of a liberal that sort of thing makes perfect sense.
John424: Most liberals have no mind, they merely plug into the ‘borg and repeat the mantra of the day.
lgm reminds me of Curly (of the 3 Stooges, not the current VP, who actually has far less talent) who once said, “I’m trying to think, but nuttin’s happenin’!”
Sorry, I admit that I don’t know much about IGs, but I don’t get something here…
How can the president fire an IG (Walpin) when the IGs seem to be under the authority of congress?? Especially when they are supposed to
Oh yeah….Hey LGM – Bush is bad when he fires 8 US Attorneys – apparently for refusing to prosecute certain cases (remember, the pres IS the head of the executive branch – which is charged by the Constitution to enforce the laws passed by the legislative branch), but you’re OK with Slick Willy firing all 93 US Attorneys for no freakin’ reason at all??
Explanation???
Sounds like these IGs are “going Galt”. When will they call off the vultures?