by Mark Silva
The White House's firing of a federal inspector general without the 30-day notice required by law has sounded alarm bells around the capital.
Mainly because the IG for AmeriCorps once exposed the misdeeds of someone who is a friend and supporter of President Barack Obama, who, as a senator, supported the 30-day legal safeguard against interfering with the work of these federal auditors who are supposed to be independent.
But the White House has released a rather scathing letter about that federal auditor, Gerald Walpin, with a lawyer for Obama explaining the emergency removal of an IG so "confused'' and "disoriented'' that it questioned his "capacity to serve.''
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) had complained that Obama had failed to justify the firing of Walpin, inspector general for the Corporation for National and Community Service, aka AmeriCorps.
"The White House has failed to follow the proper procedure in notifying Congress as to the removal of the Inspector General for the Corporation for National and Community Service," McCaskill declared in an issued statement. "The legislation which was passed last year requires that the president give a reason for the removal. 'Loss of confidence' is not a sufficient reason. I'm hopeful the White House will provide a more substantive rationale, in writing, as quickly as possible."
That writing arrived last night, in the form of a letter from a White House special counsel: .IG White House letter.pdf
Walpin, pictured above in a photo released by the AmeriCorps Inspector General's office, has offered his own scathing rebuttal:
"There was no confusion whatsoever about the meaning of my reports," Walpin told the Washington Postlast night. "Indeed right now, I would think that the only one confused is the White House, which really doesn't seem to understand the meaning and the need to protect the independence of IGs."
"If any mistakes or confusion in statements means that someone is unable to act in the position, well then President Obama once said there were 57 states. Does that mean he's incompetent? No. Or when Vice President Biden has made his various misstatements does that mean he's incompetent? Of course not."
Walpin led a 2008 investigation into the misuse of AmeriCorps funds by the ST. HOPE Academy of Sacramento, founded by Obama supporter and former NBA star Kevin Johnson.
Walpin contended that Johnson, now mayor of Sacramento, misused about $850,000 in AmeriCorps funds. Walpin's investigators found that money had been used to meddle politically in a school board election, and to pay AmeriCorps members for personal services, including washing Johnson's car. The matter was referred to a federal prosecutor, but no criminal charges came out of it. Instead ST. HOPE agreed to repay half of its grants to AmeriCorps. Johnson was elected mayor last fall.
The Wall Street Journal has weighed in with this complaint: "President Obama swept to office on the promise of a new kind of politics, but then how do you explain last week's dismissal of federal Inspector General Gerald Walpin for the crime of trying to protect taxpayer dollars? This is a case that smells of political favoritism and Chicago rules.''
The White House has offered its explanation, maintaining that this was no case of politics, but rather a necessary, and emergency house-cleaning
Comments
Abolish AmeriCorps. Problem solved.
Posted by: John W. | June 17, 2009 1:10 PM
Has Obama or Clare McKaskell ever done anything above board?. This gentleman is being railroaded and everyone knows it. This is a complete disgrace. Reinstate this fine civil servant before its to late. Because you see people are taking notes on your administration and if you do not turn things around it will be reflected in 2010.
Posted by: Paul | June 17, 2009 8:50 PM
Why isn't this front page news????Then you wonder why your readership is down.Wake up and smell the coffee.Investigate and report,isn't that what newpapers do???One of the few legislative issue that Senator Obama sponsored was concerning this issue.
Posted by: waterbill | June 17, 2009 11:02 PM
This dismissal has our pal from chicago Rahm written all over it.I saw this gentelman on the Gleen Beck show today,he didn't look like a confused individual to me
Posted by: waterbill | June 17, 2009 11:05 PM
This reminds me of a third world country. Our new "dictator" is knocking off those he views as his "enemies" one at a time.
Posted by: Frank Green | June 18, 2009 6:40 AM
The Obama Administration is firing the good
and putting in the Crooks!
Posted by: Theresa | June 18, 2009 10:17 AM
Gerald Walpin is a graduate of Yale Law, an experienced attorney and former prosecutor under Democrats Robert Kennedy and Robert Morgenthau. He is being smeared by the White House for exposing an Obama crony's bilking of the taxpayer for over $750,000.
Then Senator Obama voted FOR the 30 day notification to Congress of IG terminations, and is therefore violating the law. The media should be on this like Nixon's firing Archibald Cox. Walpin is a good man and is getting railroaded, but it does not appear he will take it. Good for him, and for America.
http://www.innsofcourt.org/Content/Default.aspx?Id=343
Posted by: Peter McLean | June 18, 2009 11:24 AM
I smell a rat! But who is the rat? And why is it that everytime a red flag goes up that points to Obama it is ignored? If in fact Johnson didn't pay back all of the money that was given to him and only half (and did it come out of his pocket?) why isn't Obama given this guy a pad on the back. Instead he is firing him because he got to close to opening up a can of worms that of course points to obama. America better wake up because this guy is smiling all the way to taking this country into a communistic way. If he doesn't like what you are saying about him or his croonies then you will be in for it. Stand up and protest on the 4th of July. obama thinks that everyone is stupid ( well 52 millions americans were) however not all of us are falling for this guys lies and deception. Obama is so in love with himself only because those of you that refuse or aren't smart enough to see what he is doing will only makes this guys ego bigger then it is now. God help us all!
Posted by: wake up america | June 18, 2009 12:55 PM
All governments will tell you only what they want you to know. Less than 6 months in office and they are already issuing smoke screens. More money will be stolen than can ever be counted.
Posted by: caustic critic | June 18, 2009 3:57 PM
This fits the scheme of the Obama white house. It seems that today these Bozos who run and become presidents can lie out their teeth, double deal and make any promise and when seated (not elected) to office can abuse all of the people including those who think they voted and elected him/her can still lie and cheat the public with absolutely no remorse. When will the voters wake up and see that this is Bush in a different color.
Posted by: Ralph Garner | June 18, 2009 9:07 PM
One thing is really bugging me. Knowing Zbigniew Bzezinsky and his pal Henry Kissinger along with David Rockefeller. These thjree make a bad copy of the three musquiteers and having read Bzrezinskys book "the Grand Chessboard" and finding that Obama hired him for his administration, it is really apparent that the CFR is playing a major role in giving Obama orders or even perhaps running the nation as a silent partner. Brezinsky and Kissinger are first class buddies and leading members of the CFR. I dont believe that Obama can learn to be this dirty in the few years he has been alive, some one else that is dirty and vicious and nasty has got to be giving him orders. I think he is just a puppet.
Posted by: Ralph Garner | June 18, 2009 10:10 PM
John W,
Well said.
Where are all the apologist for BO?
Posted by: Terry | June 18, 2009 10:36 PM