Investments

Bank Of America Investment Hours after getting the go-ahead from a judge, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman yesterday ordered the transfer of an agency watchdog who charged that some of her decisions were compromised by financial conflicts of interest.

offers a critical analysis of Walt Whitman's famous collection of poems. Whitman's ways with words influenced the poets of his time, as well as the poets of today. His unapologetic symbolism in poems like "Song of Myself" and "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd, " an elegy to Abraham Lincoln, established Whitman as one of the greatest American poets of all time and Leaves of Grass as one of the most popular collections of poetry ever printed.

Investment Opportunity Robert Martin, the agency's ombudsman for citizen complaints, claims Whitman is intent on dismantling his office in retaliation for his criticism. But the former New Jersey governor said Martin's reassignment to the EPA's Office of Inspector General will give him "greater independence."

Forgive me folks if I don''t seem too surprised about what Whitman is doing at EPA. I am, however, surprised about your reaction. Did you really think Whitman would act in a different manner If you did, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I would like to sell you.

Banc Of America Investment U.S. District Court Judge Richard Roberts had blocked Martin's job shift for three months, but yesterday dismissed his lawsuit after finding the ombudsman needed to first pursue administrative appeals before coming to the federal court.

Suarez, 39, a former New Jersey gaming enforcement official and prosecutor who came in with former EPA administrator Christine Todd Whitman, said his resignation was prompted by "a great job opportunity" and had nothing to do with dissatisfaction with administration policies. He said Mike Leavitt, the new EPA administrator, had encouraged him to stay.

Banking Investment "Whitman now has a window to kill the ombudsman," said Hugh Kaufman, an investigator for the ombudsman. He said Martin will file an administrative appeal, but described the situation as "bleak."

Critics say the EPA should regulate mercury under the provisions of the Clean Air Act, which call for much steeper and earlier emissions reductions than the agency has proposed. Christie Whitman, who headed the agency last spring when EPA staffers say they were told to forgo the normal analysis of the mercury proposal said Tuesday that she supported Leavitt's decision to order new studies. He has the option of publishing the findings before the deadline for public comment and well before the final rule is enacted, she said.

Investment Solution Strategic Throughout the proceedings, the former New Jersey governor maintained Martin's job shift was unrelated to his criticism. She also described the conflict of interest allegations as "baseless."

"EPA is continuing its mission to ensure safer, purer water, to protect public health and to provide assistance to states, territories, and local health agencies to better monitor beach water quality and notify the public when there may be a problem, " EPA Administrator Christie Whitman said. " causing microorganisms in the water while people enjoy America's incredible water resources."

Investment Banking Services Martin had charged last year that a proposed cleanup of a contaminated Shattuck Chemical Co. property in Denver approved by the EPA represented a "sweetheart" deal for Citigroup Inc., the current property owner.

Bank Investment Citigroup will pay nearly $7.2 million to help remove the waste and clean the site under the settlement, but Martin contends the cost to clean the site properly could reach $100 million.

Alternative Investment He also charged that Whitman should have recused herself from all consideration of the settlement because of her husband's financial ties to Citigroup.

Online Investment Services John Whitman worked for Citigroup for 15 years and owned $100,000 to $250,000 in company shares as of last January. He is now a managing partner of Sycamore Ventures, an investment group spun out of Citicorp Venture Capital Ltd. Citigroup continues to be one of Sycamore's largest investors.

Accompany Essential Investment An EPA spokesman said the Denver settlement was worked out at the regional level before Whitman came into office, and there was no need for her to recuse herself from the matter.

Investment Company Martin said that after his charge became public, Whitman's staff began "a campaign to end my ability to investigate cases and to ensure the EPA national ombudsman could not control caseload, personnel or budget."

Investment Management Solution Martin and Kaufman, his investigator, subsequently charged that Whitman falsely stated that the air around the World Trade Center was safe following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and they launched an inquiry. The investigator charged Whitman's decision to downplay the air quality problems in lower Manhattan could help save an insurance company owned by Citigroup millions of dollars.

Investment Management Services The General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of Congress, reported last July that the ombudsman does not have enough independence inside the EPA office of solid waste, where it has been located, and recommended that a change take place.

Guide Investment Stock Whitman announced in November that Martin would be moved to the Office of Inspector General, an independent watchdog for the entire EPA. She said this would enhance Martin's role.

Investment Manual Solution Martin filed a lawsuit on Jan. 10 to block the move, saying Whitman's plans centered largely on him "sitting by the telephone hotline waiting for it to ring."

Investment Stock By Robert Cohen
Star-Ledger - 4/13/2002

Topic: White House

[ Comment, Edit or Article Submission ]