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Government Uncovered Freedom of Information Equals Freedom From Corruption Access to information is vital to Judicial Watch’s efforts to hold politicians accountable for their actions. This is why the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is such an important tool for Judicial Watch. Each issue of JW Verdict will include an analysis of FOIA documents obtained by Judicial Watch. In this issue, JW Verdict focuses on a fraudulent scheme concocted by environmental extremists within the Department of Interior and the government’s willingness to permit, and even reward, criminal behavior within its ranks. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists have been tracking the Canada lynx to determine how many there are and where they live. As part of this effort, they were charged with the responsibility of conducting a four-year study. A recent FOIA request made by JW shows that participants in the study submitted false fur samples in order to suggest a wider range of protection than would otherwise be warranted by a fair assessment. Key Excerpts from General Accounting Office Investigative Report to Congress "This report responds to your December 21, 2001 request and subsequent conversations with committee staff that we investigate allegations that biologists with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife improperly submitted hair samples for DNA analysis as part of the National Interagency Canada Lynx Survey during 1999 and 2000." "In 1999 and 2000, biologists with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Forest Service and Fish and Wildlife Service submitted unauthorized hair samples to the Montana laboratory for DNA analysis as part of the National Survey. Some of the individuals who participated in the unauthorized submissions had discussions about submitting unauthorized samples both prior to and after submissions." "During the 1999 survey season, a biologist who was the lead person on the survey from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Wenatchee National Forest submitted hair samples to the laboratory for analysis as part of the survey. Some of those samples consisted of hair obtained from a stuffed tanned bobcat pelt." Relevance Despite the overwhelming evidence that government biologists falsified a study to support their extreme political agendas, none of these biologists were subject to criminal prosecution. In fact, according to the Seattle Times, the Fish and Wildlife Service praised the perpetrators for their work and provided them with cash bonuses. What this case clearly shows is that the government is incapable of policing itself and cannot be trusted. Our leaders punish whistleblowers that fight for honesty and at the same time reward those that play the Washington game. Only Judicial Watch makes sure that all individuals, no matter their power or position, are held accountable for their behavior.
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