Rep. Nick Rahall (D-West Virginia) called a House Natural Resources Committee next Thursday, September 18, to address "a culture of ethical failure" at the Interior Department.

The hearing will focus on three reports released by the Office of the Inspector General. Investigators found extremely close relationships between government regulators and oil companies.

Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne said he was "outraged by the immoral behavior, illegal activities and appalling misconduct" at the Minerals Management Service. He vowed to reform the program even though two key players resigned while being investigated.

The MMS plans to institute random drug-testing as part of the reforms. The reports detailed heavy alcohol use and drug abuse that contributed to ethical lapses of employees.

Get the Story:
Interior Secretary Pledges Reform (The Washington Post 9/12)
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Interior: Sex, oil no mix (The Denver Post 9/12)

OIG Reports:
Gregory W. Smith | MMS Oil Marketing Group - Lakewood | Federal Business Solutions Contracts

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