In the wake of two Interior Department reports of widespread corruption and mismanagement within the Minerals Management Service, the Obama administration has fired MMS Director Elizabeth Birnbaum, according to news reports Thursday morning.
In the wake of two Interior Department reports of widespread corruption and mismanagement within the Minerals Management Service, the Obama administration has fired MMS Director Elizabeth Birnbaum, according to news reports Thursday morning.
MMS oversees offshore drilling and has faced heated questions regarding its oversight and safety inspections of drilling rigs following BP's Deepwater Horizon well blowout, that has since resulted in the largest oil spill in U.S. history. Fox News is reporting that Birnbaum will not be reassigned and will be leaving government altogether. She also will not, reportedly, be testifying today before the House Appropriations Committee about the oil spill, as scheduled, but will be replaced by her deputy, David Hayes. President Obama will announce her firing at his news conference this afternoon.