In response to a Freedom of Information Act request from the Times, NOAA refused to explicitly clarify the status of Dale J. Jones, the longtime oceans police chief who became the galvanizing figure in the scandal as it broke in phases in January, then again in March before two House oversight subcommittees.
The agency said it had received a completed report on document shredding by Jones from the Commerce Department inspector general but was withholding it because of its possible relevance in an "enforcement" action.
The agency also deflected a series of questions filed in the Times' Freedom of Information Act request, which sought a copy of the IG's findings, Jones' status — including whether he is still on a government payroll — the status of Jones' top assistant and "any other personnel moves" within the Office of Law Enforcement.
Read the complete story at The Gloucester Daily Times.