U.S. Senators John Kerry, Scott Brown, and Reps. Barney Frank, John Tierney and William Delahunt from the Massachusetts fishing coast urged a halt to all fishing industry prosecutions while an Inspector General's investigation continues into alleged misconduct by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration enforcement agents and prosecutors.
Kerry and Brown along with Reps. Barney Frank, John Tierney and William Delahunt, wrote to NOAA chief administrator Jane Lubchenco, saying a delay is warranted because pending cases could be "tainted by the actual or perceived problems with the office of law enforcement or the general counsel's office."
"Given the disquieting findings of the January 2010 Department of Commerce Office of the Inspector General's review … a hold on these cases seems warranted," the letter from Kerry and the congressmen said. "As you are aware, the IG report found troubling discrepancies in enforcement, fines, and penalties by OLE and GCEL.
Read the complete story at The Gloucester Daily Times.