WASHINGTON — Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Thursday the department has been “painted unfairly” because of ethical lapses and criminal activity among past political appointees.
In his first address to the department, Salazar vowed to lead with “openness in decision-making, high ethical standards and respect to scientific integrity.”
The former Colorado senator told employees gathered in the department’s auditorium and in offices across the country: “There has been a picture of the department that has been painted unfairly on the backs of career employees because of actions by political appointees, . . . and that era is now changing and it starts today,” said Salazar, prompting a long round of applause.
“We will hold people accountable. We expect people to be accountable . . . and not tolerate these kind of lapses,” he said.
Salazar mentioned no specific misconduct. Various investigations in recent years have revealed conflicts of interest by high-ranking Interior officials, prompting the resignations of a former deputy secretary and an assistant deputy secretary, as well as misconduct in an office overseeing oil leases.
While outlining broad priorities, Salazar stayed away from specifics.
