Big Muddy rancher
Well-known member
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington | Tuesday, November 16, 2010
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Is a former trial lawyer turned government official making policy decisions at the Department of Agriculture that will serve his future personal financial interests? It is a question Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is asking the department's general counsel to investigate after learning that J. Dudley Butler, the Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, has boasted about putting in place regulations that make it easier to sue meat and poultry companies. Prior to joining the administration, Mr. Butler's legal practice involved suing the companies he now regulates.
"When he took office, President Obama issued an order closing the revolving door that allowed departing executive branch officials to cash in on their government service. While the new policy was aimed at those who lobby after leaving office, the same rationale applies here. Mr. Butler stands to benefit financially once he leaves the government by exploiting a loophole he helped create," said CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan. "Whether or not this meets the legal standard of a conflict of interest, it seems wrong. The Department of Agriculture should bar Mr. Butler from continued work on these regulations and the department should consider reissuing them for further public comment."
Click here to read CREW's letter to the Department of Agriculture's Acting General Counsel.
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AddThis
Is a former trial lawyer turned government official making policy decisions at the Department of Agriculture that will serve his future personal financial interests? It is a question Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is asking the department's general counsel to investigate after learning that J. Dudley Butler, the Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, has boasted about putting in place regulations that make it easier to sue meat and poultry companies. Prior to joining the administration, Mr. Butler's legal practice involved suing the companies he now regulates.
"When he took office, President Obama issued an order closing the revolving door that allowed departing executive branch officials to cash in on their government service. While the new policy was aimed at those who lobby after leaving office, the same rationale applies here. Mr. Butler stands to benefit financially once he leaves the government by exploiting a loophole he helped create," said CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan. "Whether or not this meets the legal standard of a conflict of interest, it seems wrong. The Department of Agriculture should bar Mr. Butler from continued work on these regulations and the department should consider reissuing them for further public comment."
Click here to read CREW's letter to the Department of Agriculture's Acting General Counsel.
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