Waxman Calls for Investigation of Wespac

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U.S. REPRESENTATIVE HENRY WAXMAN CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION OF WESTERN PACIFIC FISHERIES MANAGEMENT COUNCIL (WESPAC)

Honolulu-based WESPAC Director Kitty Simonds Also Named In Request To Comptroller General of the United States

HONOLULU: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2008 -- The long and often contentious effort instigated by a small group of Hawai`i-based ocean resource advocates took a giant leap forward today when U.S. Representative Henry Waxman, Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform released a letter requesting the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to "... investigate the expenditures of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council WESPAC)" in response to concerns about WESPAC’s questionable use of federal funds.

The letter notes, "In June 2007, a number of Hawaiian nonprofit organizations raised serious allegations regarding the inappropriate use of government funds and unethical conduct by WESPAC and its Executive Director [Kitty Simonds]. More recently, credible sources have also contacted the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to raise similar concerns about the conduct of WESPAC and its Executive Director." This letter and related information is available on Representative Waxman's House Committee Web site under the heading; "Waste, Fraud, and Abuse at:

The GAO, often called "the congressional watchdog" is an independent, nonpartisan agency that supports congressional oversight by auditing agency operations to determine whether federal funds are being spent efficiently and effectively; investigating allegations of illegal and improper activities. Hawai`i Community Advocate Maka'ala Ka'aumoana said, "This federal investigation and audit will help limit the undue influence of WESPAC on community efforts to manage our resources."

Local fisherman William Aila had this to say about Chair Waxman's GAO request; "We are pleased Representative Waxman sees fit, based on the evidence, to initiate an investigation of WESPAC and Kitty Simonds in regards to possible breaches of fiduciary duty." Linda Paul, Executive Director of Aquatics for the Hawai`i Audubon Society noted, "We support a well conducted and impartial investigation into the allegations that a federal advisory body has been spending federal funds attempting to influence Hawaii State fisheries policy."

Representative Waxman's call for a GAO investigations comes on the heels of another confirmed investigation opened by the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of the Inspector General (IG) into numerous allegations lodged earlier against Simonds. Little can be learned about this open investigation because "...records maintained in an open IG investigation file must be withheld pursuant to exemption (b)(7)(A) of the Freedom of Information Act [FOIA], 5 U.S.C. 552 (b)(7)(A), which exempts from disclosure records which could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings."

Confirmation of the IG investigation was received by Christine (Tina) Owens on September 7, 2007. Owens represents Hawai`i Island's "Lost Fish Coalition."

Despite repeated requests for various WESPAC documents, Owens and others have been stonewalled at every turn by WESPAC Executive Director, Kitty Simonds. On November 14, 2007, Owens, along with the KAHEA Environmental Alliance and the Conservation Council For Hawai`i were forced to file a formal FOIA request in order to view other specific and possibly-incriminating documents that should have been routinely available for public scrutiny. See for the complete FOIA request.

Of the pending GAO investigation, Owens made the following statement; "It is very gratifying that Chair Waxman has taken notice and is acting on these serious charges. Over the years many people have witnessed possibly illegal behavior by WESPAC and its Executive Director, but, in the past, their complaints have not gotten very far. Now we will see what the real truth is."

Owens, KAHEA Environmental Alliance, and the Conservation Council For Hawai`i are part of a larger group of Hawai`i and mainland organizations with a common interest in long-term protection and conservation of the NWHI -- now known as Papah`naumoku`kea Marine National Monument The organizations have worked collectively and individually for many years with state and federal agencies and political leaders in Hawai`i and Washington DC to advocate for measures adequate to protect this globally significant region; some 140,000 square miles including 4,500 square miles of pristine coral reefs and more than 7,000 marine species.

Today, Marjorie Ziegler, Executive Director of Conservation Council For Hawaii, observed, "We have made our concerns about the possible misuse of Federal funds by WESPAC known to Hawaii's Congressional delegation. Hopefully this GA audit will provide the information necessary to begin appropriate action."

BACKGROUND AND ARCHIVES

http://belammc.com/WESPAC/Waxman_PR1_Background.htm

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