Monday, September 20, 2004

Firing off a Fine

A whistle blower complaint has landed Rep Henry E. Brown Jr. (R-SC) a $250 fine. Not bad, considering the fine is for destroying $4,000 worth of taxpayer property. Brown was burning brush on his tree farm back in March. The fire got out of control and burned 20 acres of neighboring Francis Marion National Forest. He wasn't fined at first. But then, two law enforcement officers with the Forest Service filed their "whistle-blower" complaint with the USDA's inspector general. They claimed the Congressman used his clout with the top Ag Department honchos to get the fine quashed. Now, the USDA's going ahead with the fire fine against the Congressman. (WashPost)

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