The federal agency long accused by marine fishermen of abusing its law-enforcement authority - a claim substantiated by an Inspector General's report released in January - has proposed policy changes that could standardize the way financial penalties are assessed to fishermen who break the law.

WASHINGTON - October 27, 2010 - Almost exactly four years ago to the day, on October 24, 2006, Bill Hogarth, then Administrator of the National Marine Fisheries Service, responded to complaints about the leadership of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) from a senior OLE agent.  In February 2007, Mr. Hogarth and Mr. John Oliver held an all-hands conference call with OLE staff to discuss the results of their investigation into the allegations. After the call, Mr. Oliver followed-up with staff via e-mail at Mr. Hogarth's request.

Unlike the Inspector General reports released this year, which found numerous serious problems with OLE and its management, Mr. Oliver's e-mail expressed "strong support for Dale [Jones] as Director of OLE and the OLE management. Mr. Oliver continued, "We here [sic] very few complaints from the fishing community or public about your services and we’re pleased with the work of the Office of Law Enforcement."

The complaining agent, a nine-year veteran had written to Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher, NOAA Administrator, stating: "I have lost confidence in the leadership at NOAA/NMFS/Fisheries OLE. I am not alone in this loss of confidence.  I will not and do not speak for others, but will tell you others (field level special agents and officers, and fellow supervisors all over the nation) in the agency have spoken to me. The vast majority have told me they share the same loss of confidence in the leadership.  Of course they fear to share this sentiment with the upper leadership for fear of retaliation, whether warranted or not.  I believe an anonymous survey of the employees would bear this lack of confidence out." Several anonymous complaints raising similar concerns were also received by Admiral Lautenbacher. Admiral Lautenbacher did not respond, but instead had Administrator Hogarth contact the agent.

In his e-mail, Mr. Oliver stated that the "primary thrust of the messages centered around the concerns and perceptions of the writers with regard to the management and leadership of the OLE.   They can generally be characterized as suggesting that Director Dale Jones was not managing the OLE properly in several areas."

A two-person team consisting of Captain Rick Brown, who served on Mr. Oliver’s staff, and Cecilia Collins, a NOAA human resources specialist, investigated the allegations.

According to Mr. Oliver's e-mail, the result of Captain Brown and Ms. Collins' investigation was that none of the allegations were sustained.  "They were determined to be unfounded."

Multiple recipients confirmed the text and legitimacy of the email.