"EPA's Chief Orders Full Staff Cooperation With Agency Auditors"

"U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has ordered her staff to fully cooperate with the investigative efforts of the agency's internal auditors, a stark reversal from the agency's policy under the George W. Bush administration.

In a memorandum sent Friday to all agency staff, Jackson said it was imperative that agency staff provide the Office of the Inspector General 'full and unrestricted access' to personnel, facilities, records and other information at the request of the auditors.

Jackson said that management should not attempt to control or influence the free flow of information during the audit process. Also, she said, EPA staff are not required to obtain permission before speaking to OIG representatives during reviews, and managers should not question employees about their interactions with OIG in the context of reviews.

Under the Bush administration, a senior agency official warned enforcement officers against speaking with the inspector general's office or with congressional investigators."

Robin Bravender reports for Greenwire in the New York Times August 10, 2009.