Julie MacDonald, the Bush appointee accused of suppressing the Endangered Species Act last year has resigned after proof of her corruption was brought to light:
Julie MacDonald left her position as the Department of Interior's deputy assistant secretary of fish, wildlife and parks, from which she controlled the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service endangered species program.
Her resignation follows a finding March 29 by the agency's Inspector General Earl Devaney that she violated federal ethics rules by sending "nonpublic information" to industry lobbyists.
MacDonald repeatedly leaked internal Fish and Wildlife Service documents to business groups who opposed the Service and its environmental decision making in court. Some of these internal documents later surfaced as evidence in lawsuits filed against the Service.
I blogged about this in the beginning of last November, listing the affected species and summarizing the results of UCS's surveys of USFWS scientists, and discussing the fact that the USFWS isn't the only government agency where this is happening. I had a friend take an extended leave from the Forest Service after Bush appointees took charge at the USDA.
I wonder how long it will take to remove all of the outright corruption after Bush's term is served.
Josh has a few words about MacDonald's resignation as well.
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That seems a bit redundant these days.