EPA tells POLITICO it will investigate DeLeon
POLITICO reporter Robin Bravender released a story on Friday saying that EPA spokesperson Brendan Gilfillan promised that EPA would "look into" the allegations of the open letter the National Whistleblowers Center released last week. Gilfillan told Bravender that Jackson is “deeply committed to issues of environmental justice, civil rights and a healthy workplace for all.” NWC's open letter alleges that Rafael DeLeon, director of EPA's Office of Civil Rights, made a series of offensive remarks. These remarks called Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo and Susan Morris "pink elephants." Bravender reports that this term "was popularized by Sarah Palin, who used it to refer to a stampede of women outraged about policies in Washington." NWC also alleges that DeLeon said Dr. Coleman-Adebayo held herself out like the "Rosa Parks of EPA," and that he referred to a lapdance at an office party.
Dr. Coleman-Adebayo is an environmental whistleblower who raised concerns about the dangers of vanadium mining in South Africa. When her concerns focused on the role of U.S. companies in apartheid South Africa she became the victim of a hostile work environment. Ms. Morris raised concerns about EPA’s compliance with the Civil Rights Act and then suffered a removal from her supervisory position.
Bravender interviewed Dr. Coleman-Adebayo about her experience working for DeLeon. Dr. Coleman-Adebayo reported that her transfer to DeLeon's office was essential a set up to be discharged. Dr. Coleman-Adebayo is writing a book about her experiences at the EPA. Called, “No Fear: A Whistleblower's Triumph Over Corruption and Retaliation at the EPA,” it is due in September.
Bravender reports that when Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), released the Deloitte Consulting report which finds problems with OCR, she praised DeLeon for his "energy and experience." Jackson appointed DeLeon to direct OCR last December.
Bravende's story is
availableon-line to subscribers of POLITICO Pro.
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I was the senior EPA manager whose testimony on behalf of Dr. Coleman-Adabayo ultimately convinced the jury of the rightness of her suit. Shortly after that testimony, my international program was terminated despite the availability of funding. According to EPA, however, the Agency had developed a series of white papers in order to best allocate resources to international work. After years of inquiries and requests for copies of the white paper, the Agency finally admitted in their FOIA response that the white paper never existed. They did note that a memorandum on the termination of the program did exist...but refused to release it. After multiple letters and e-mails to Lisa Jackson and Jane Nishida, the Agency is now claiming that they have no knowledge of the memorandum. It seems apparent that the termination of my program was in direct response to my testimony for Dr. Coleman-Adabayo. Retaliation in a civil rights case is a serious federal offense and it is no suprise that Ms. Jackson et al are desperately trying to avoid provision of critical evidence. Given that, I find
Mr. Gilfillan's statement both disingenuous and offensive.