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THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2003

Deputy Interior Secretary J. Steven Griles is getting paid $1.1 million, on top of his government salary and on top of taxpayer funds used to reimburse his private attorney, for lobbying he used to do on behalf of the energy industry, the Associated Press reports.

While his confirmation was pending before the Senate, Griles was also getting paid $80,000 to lobby the Department of the Interior, the AP adds. When he was finally confirmed, he agreed to recuse himself from matters involving former clients for up to one year.

But numerous press accounts have shown that he met regularly with former clients, attended meetings that involved their interests and made decisions on matters that involved their interests. He has said that the meetings were legal and ethical.

Griles is the number two official at the Interior. He is in charge of all Indian trust decisions for individual and tribal beneficiaries.

Get the Story:
U.S. Interior Official Attended Meetings Involving Former Firm's Clients (AP 4/3)

Relevant Links:
Interior Department Watchdog, Friends of the Earth - http://www.foe.org/camps/eco/interior/index.html

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