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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2002

Deputy Interior Secretary J. Steven Griles continued to meet with former clients from the mining industry despite signing recusals barring his involvement, The Washington Post reports today.

Based on interviews and a review of government logs obtained by two environmental groups, Griles met with former clients including the National Mining Association and the Edison Electric Institute. He did so while the groups were lobbying against potential "tough on industry" changes in mining laws.

Griles also met with the Electric Power Research Institute, an industry group represented by his former lobbying company. The group was opposes to changes in clean-air enforcement policy and initiatives.

Griles told The Post the meetings did not violate ethics guidelines. He said he obtained legal clearance and in some cases backed out of them. He added that discussions were of a social and informal nature.

That didn't bar a federal judge from accusing him of violating ethical standards in another matter -- the Indian trust fund class action. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth last week said Griles came "perilously close to perjury" by submitting sworn court testimonials aimed at smearing a judicial officer.

Griles has sworn under oath that he is in charge of Indian trust -- tribal and individual. He has told Congress that he has directed legal activities for the Cobell case.

Get the Story:
Official's Lobbying Ties Decried (The Washington Post 9/25)

Relevant Links:
Griles Watch, Friends of the Earth - http://www.foe.org/eco/interior/griles/index.html

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