Posted on 12/14/2012 8:16:55 PM PST by george76
The acting U.S. Commerce Secretary on Friday ordered federal regulators to return about $544,000 in unjust fines collected from 14 fishermen or fishing businesses, most of whom worked Northeast waters. Secretary Rebecca Blank also directed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to forgive two other complainants a combined $150,000 in debt.
Her decisions followed the second phase of a lengthy probe into charges by New England fishermen of abusive, unfair treatment by the officers and attorneys who enforce the nation's fishing laws. Blank's decisions mean nearly $1.2 million in unjust penalties has now been ordered returned to fishermen. In May 2011, the commerce secretary ordered $650,000 in unjust fines given back.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbc40.net ...
Congressman Paul Broun, chairman of the subcommittee of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, also asked Acting Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank for “a complete and unredacted” copy of the original report into fisheries law enforcement abuses of industry businesses, which was released in redacted form in May 2011.
The perceived delay in releasing the report has resulted in further eroding of public trust in the agency,” Kerry said in his letter Wednesday to Acting Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank.
The Commerce Department, which oversees the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which in turn oversees the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Since spring, Broun has been attempting without success to get the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration travel records for top executives, including Administrator Jane Lubchenco and Eric Schwaab, her choice to head the National Marine Fisheries Service.
In his third letter, dated Nov. 28, seeking travel records, Broun wrote to Lubchenco that “this level of recalcitrance mocks the notion of transpaency.”
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/fishing/x1839364673/Kerry-pushes-for-release-of-fish-law-abuse-cases
george76 ~: “(from the article) Since spring, Broun has been attempting without success to get the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration travel records for top executives, including Administrator Jane Lubchenco and Eric Schwaab, her choice to head the National Marine Fisheries Service.
In his third letter, dated Nov. 28, seeking travel records, Broun wrote to Lubchenco that “this level of recalcitrance mocks the notion of transpaency.”
Interesting enough .. Jane Lubchenco (Lubchenko)has TODAY announced her retirement from NOAA for Febuary/13 to return to “academia” and to return to be with family and friends.
She has contributed to the demize of the fisheries industry in the Northeast and South by imposing “Catch Shares” and ‘sustainable fisheries’,despite Congressional directive that she should not, and funding for ‘catch share progarm’ was eliminated.
Furthermore , according to Congressional testimony with Senator Nelson ( Florida) , NOAA under Lubchenco closed bottom fishery for red snapper in the South , without even conducting any study .
Sustainable fishery is another term for “agenda 21” .
Bankruptcy of these fisheries occurred when ‘Catch Shares’ were sold to international investment companies and non-profit organizations (ie: Pew) , after bankrupting Northeast fisheries by shortening the season , and limiting the number of the catch.
Her predecessor director was caught mis-using fines (imposed in kangaroo courts ) and was terminated , but Lubchenco kept him on as an advisor/consultant.
It seems that when you lay down with dogs ,.. you get fleas!
Write the “law.”
Enforce the law.
Adjudicate the law.
It is the classic definition of tyranny.
Since Eric the Red Holder will never prosecute federal bureaucrats for corruption, the States should fill the void.
There's probably more, but I am too struck by these to concentrate.
Rebecca Blank is not long for this job. Obama rats will destroy her.
What sanctions are being placed on the bureaucrats that held these companies hostage? My guess is little to none.
Surely someone will lose their job. No?
/sarc
John F... wants to be Sec of State, so this could be an attempt to help him during the upcoming confirmation hearings ?
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