House Resources hearing on Interior investigation
The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing this Thursday, September 18, on the recent reports issued by the Office of the Inspector General at the Interior Department.

The reports cited a "a culture of ethical failure" at the Minerals Management Service, the agency that oversees royalty collections on federal and Indian lands. Investigators found extremely close relationships between government regulators and oil companies.

The hearing will take place at 10am in Room 1324 of the Longworth House Office Building. A witness list hasn't been made public.

Committee Notice:
Oversight Hearing On “Recent Interior Department Inspector General Investigations On Federal Oil And Gas Royalty Collections.” (September 18, 2008)

OIG Reports:
Gregory W. Smith | MMS Oil Marketing Group - Lakewood | Federal Business Solutions Contracts

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