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THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2002

The Environmental Protection Agency is doing some behind the scenes moving of its own this week, raising suspicious about an internal power conflict.

EPA Administrator Christie Whitman wants EPA ombudsman Robert Martin transferred to the EPA inspector general's office. Martin opposes the move and got a temporary court order to stop it.

But the order was lifted as Martin was told to appeal the case through administrative means. A decision is expected Friday.

Conveniently, that's when Whitman wants Martin's office moved. Starting today, records kept by Martin will be transferred, leading to charges of retaliation for an investigation he is conducting into her family's financial ties and whether they played a role in her decisions.

According to The Washington Times, an attempt to get some records was made yesterday. Martin happened to be out of town. Martin's employees hampered the move, the paper said.

Get the Story:
EPA to confiscate files in Whitman-spouse matter (The Washington Times 4/18)
EPA meeting is called a raid (The Denver Post 4/18)

Related Stories:
Whitman being investigated (3/11)