Johnnie Burton, the director of the Minerals Management Service, will step down from her position at the end of the month.
Burton's decision was voluntary and didn't have anything to do with the controversy over royalty underpayments, a spokesperson told The New York Times. The Government Accountability Office has said taxpayers could lose out on more than more than $10 billion from oil and gas drilling on federal lands.
MMS is responsible for collecting money owed to individual Indians and tribes. Several tribes have said they were cut out of the auditing and review process by the Bush administration.
Get the Story:Official Who Oversees Gulf Oil Drilling to Retire (The New York Times 5/8)
pwnyt House Natural Resources Committee Hearing:
Full Committee Oversight Hearing: “Royalties at Risk” (March 28, 2007) Inspector General Report:
Minerals Management Service's Compliance Review Process (December 2006) GAO Letter:
Suggested Areas for Oversight for the 110th Congress (November 17, 2006) Inspector General Testimony:
Devaney Interior Department: A Culture of Managerial Irresponsibility and Lack of Accountability? (September 2006) Inspector General Report:
Allegations Concerning Senior Officials of the Office of Special Trustee for American Indians (May 2005) Relevant Links:
Government Accountability Office:
Office of Special Trustee - http://www.ost.doi.gov Related Stories:
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Oil company owes million for underpaid royalties (01/25)
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