Lubchenco and her colleagues must deliver answers to the questions about Jones' status now. To do otherwise proves that Lubchenco holds Congress, the fishing industry and the American people in the same contempt as Jones. And it's time Congress held her accountable as well.
It's been two weeks since Dale J. Jones, police chief for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, was reportedly ousted from his post.
But since then, there has not been a word from NOAA head Jane Lubchenco about his status. In fact, it is not even official that he has been dismissed.
That lack of transparency has become characteristic of Lubchenco's administration. But it is not acceptable. Such stonewalling smacks more of the days of President Nixon than President Obama's promise of open government.
Indeed, the only indication that Jones may be out came April 8, when Eric Schwaab, chosen in February by Lubchenco to lead the National Marine Fisheries Service, issued a statement that said nothing about Jones — it did not even mention him — but announced that Alan Risenhoover, who has no law enforcement experience, would be taking the post temporarily.
Has Jones been fired? Suspended? Allowed to "retire"? Is he still on the payroll? If so, in what capacity?
Those are all very legitimate questions to which fishermen long abused at the hands of Jones and Gloucester-based henchmen Andrew Cohen and Chuck Juliand are entitled to answers. Indeed, all American taxpayers who may well be still paying Jones and his jack-booted comrades have every right to know if that's the case.
Yet, there have been no answers from Lubchenco.
Read the editorial in full at The Gloucester Daily Times.