A report published by the US Department of Interior has alleged that certain staff members tasked with overseeing offshore drilling routinely watched porn on government computers and smoked crystal methamphetamine.
In addition, employees of the Lake Charles, Louisina Minerals Management Service (MMS) were accused of accepting tickets to sports events, lunches, hunting/fishing trips and other gifts from energy companies.
“Unfortunately, given the events of April 20 of this year, this report had become anything but routine, and I feel compelled to release it now,” wrote acting inspector general Mary Kendall in a report cover letter quoted by the Associated Press.
“We discovered that the individuals involved in the fraternizing and gift exchange — both government and industry — have often known one another since childhood.”
Meanwhile, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., described the report as a “yet another black eye” for the Minerals Management Service.
“Once again, MMS employees have been found culpable of performing shoddy oversight of offshore drilling. The report reveals an overly cozy culture between MMS regulators and the oil industry.”
