NEWS RELEASE

Committee on Energy and Commerce
Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman

Dingell, Stupak Respond to Frazier Resignation

Washington, D.C. – Committee leaders responded to news today that Johnnie Frazier, Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Commerce, quit his job yesterday in the midst of a Committee investigation and after the U.S. Office of Special Counsel concluded he violated whistleblower protection laws.

“Mr. Frazier’s decision to resign was a wise one,” said Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. “I’m glad the Committee could be of assistance and I applaud the Office of Special Counsel for their work on this. This investigation, however, is far from over. Frazier’s resignation merely confirms one of the dozens of serious allegations of misconduct against him and many of his senior staff. We will continue to look into this matter to ensure the return of a well-run and functional Inspector General’s office at the Department of Commerce.”

In mid March, the Committee began investigating allegations surrounding Frazier that relate to travel fraud, contracting irregularities, wasteful expenditures, favoritism, pre-selection of Senior Executive Service candidates, retaliation against whistleblowers, destruction of evidence and obstruction of justice.

Committee investigators this week witnessed the construction projects authorized by Mr. Frazier and plan to review Commerce Department surveillance tapes to try to identify individuals suspected of destroying or hiding records requested by the Committee.

“Johnnie Frazier’s resignation merely confirms our worst fears that the fraud and misconduct at the office runs from the top on down throughout the ranks of the office,” said Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. “Our investigation has already confirmed some of the allegations beyond this first one dealing with whistleblower retaliation that caused his forced resignation. For example, we have confirmed the trip by Johnnie Frazier and five of his subordinates to Atlantic City to gamble while on government time and per diem. Instead of attending a government sponsored conference, apparently the Inspector General and his staff thought their time would be better spent on slots and roulette. We are not done with this allegation nor the myriad other complaints we continue to receive about him and his office. To say we are shocked about how this office was run under Mr. Frazier would be an understatement.”

For more information relating to this investigation, visit the Committee on Energy and Commerce website at http://energycommerce.house.gov.

See Frazier's resignation letter
See U.S. Office of Special Counsel letter to Frazier
See Frazier's letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce
See U.S. Office of Special Counsel letter to the White House
See U.S. Office of Special Counsel memorandum

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