For the past week conservative talk show hosts have been following the unfolding scandal of President Obama’s firing of AmeriCorps inspector general Gerald Walpin. Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson is actually at the center of this scandal, as it was his non-profit organization Walpin discovered was abusing federal grants.
It was alleged that Johnson’s charity St. HOPE Academy misused the federal money for political purposes and personal errands—such as car washes—for Johnson. Johnson and his charity agreed to pay back $847,000 worth of grants they received from AmeriCorps between 2004 and 2007. Sacramento voters will recall that last year during the campaign for mayor, this scandal threatened to derail John’s bid to unseat incumbent Heather Fargo. But Johnson was able to survive the bad publicity and ultimately defeat Fargo.
Late last week Fox News Channel host Glenn Beck brought national attention to the fact an independent inspector general had been unceremoniously fired from his job and questioned the possible political motivation behind it. It was suggested that the firing was politically motivated; retribution for Walpin’s investigation into Obama’s good friend Johnson. Walpin even appeared on Beck’s program, explaining that he received an unexpected phone call from the White House telling him he had one hour to quit or resign his position.
The White House actually violated the law by not following proper procedure in firing Walpin. Then-Senator Obama co-sponsored the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008, which requires the White House to give Congress 30 days notice prior to dismissing an inspector general and give Congress a reason for the dismissal. Neither occurred in Walpin’s case.
The scandal continues to grow as the White House is now trying to cover its tracks and describes Walpin as “confused, disoriented, unable to answer questions” and exhibiting “other behavior” that makes them “question his capacity to serve.” Anyone who has seen or heard interviews of Walpin can see that is patently false. At first, Congress was suspiciously quiet on the fact a law they passed last year had been so quickly violated by the new administration. But now some leaders are speaking out, and Bryon York is reporting that yesterday California Congressman Darrrel Issa’s staff met with White House staff about the firing.
Issa issued the following statement: “Despite the requirement to notify Congress in advance of firing an IG, the White House moved swiftly to sack an investigator who uncovered wrongdoing and abuse by a political ally of the President. Because the President did not follow the law in firing an Inspector General and clearly articulating the reasons for his removal, this firing sends a chilling message to all Inspectors General: investigating a political ally of this President may cost you your job.”
Let’s hope Congressional leaders like Issa will continue to investigate this questionable firing and that they will hold accountable an administration that already acts as though it is above the law.
June 20th, 2009 at 12:00 am
I guess the Democrats can keep their mouths shut as it pertains to the GOP firing US Attorneys in light of this article.
This is change we can believe in and fraud Obama allows.