NEW BEDFORD — U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke has once again denied the appeals of the fishing industry and political leaders, ruling that he will not expand the group of law enforcement cases to be reviewed by the “special master” looking into fisheries law enforcement abuses.
In a six-page memorandum, Locke one by one denied every request for his intervention in the matter. He said he would:
— Not address cases where no civil penalty was imposed, instead referring them back to NOAA for “lessons learned.”
— Not review any cases that went before a federal judge, citing the need for “finality” in the judicial system.
— Not address cases that are currently before an administrative law judge or the NOAA administrator, on the grounds that the inspector general's reports so far have made the courts aware of past abuses and will avoid them today.
— Not address cases that were not brought forward during the investigation by Inspector General Todd Zinser.
— Not put a hold on civil penalties already assessed.
New Bedford attorney Pamela Lafreniere, who represents fishermen in such enforcement cases, called Locke's decisions “completely and utterly unfair.” Many fishermen, she said, were afraid to come forward when the inspector general was soliciting cases because they feared retaliation, she said.
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