Griles' Idea of Public Service

by emptywheel

I noted in my last post on Griles that just after making a high-falutin' statement on public service, he proceeded to lie his ass off. I was equally suspicious of his proposal to do community service for his own non-profit.

Steve Griles is trying to get his already light 10 month sentence reduced to three months of home confinement and community service on two non-profits Griles set up himself (in a scandal, of course, in which non-profits have routinely been used to launder money).

Turns out I was right to be suspicious. Via POGO, I see that one of those non-profits (with the Orwellian Acronym WOW, referred in the next paragraph as ARC) is a consortium designed to rape

If the sentence recommendation is accepted, Griles would work for an organization with close ties to the Interior Department.

In 2003, Interior, U.S. EPA, the Army Corps of Engineers, the American Recreation Coalition and Disney signed amemorandum of understanding, agreeing to "work together in partnership on issues of common interest and to jointly plan and implement mutually beneficial programs and activities."

As deputy secretary at the time, Griles directly oversaw the four Interior agencies who signed the document.

The National Park Service is a current sponsor of Wonderful Outdoor World, as are the Forest Service, Disney, the Coleman Co. and others, but WOW is spearheaded by the American Recreation Coalition, an organization that promotes access for recreation on public lands.

[snip]

According to Griles' statement with the court, WOW is seeking to expand its operations and program offerings and needs a man such as the former deputy Interior secretary. "WOW needs an individual with Mr. Griles' management expertise and knowledge of the outdoors," the statement says.

WOW is seeking a candidate who could raise at least $500,000 in contributions -- either in-kind or in cash, according to court documents.

"Unlike other camping and recreation programs, WOW brings the wonders and excitement of camping and the environment directly into the neighborhoods and communities of the children most in need," according to Disney's Web site. "This innovative new approach provides young people with the basic skills and encouragement to enjoy further outdoor experiences."

I know of another organization that does similar work with needy kids--the Sierra Club's Inner City Outings program. Only it doesn't under the guise of eco-friendliness, also lobby for snowmobiles in Yellowstone.

There's something really really corrupt about Griles' request for leniency. The non-profits mentioned therein (not just this one) appear to be thinly veiled attempts to launder money and privatize our public lands. And even while he purportedly admits to guilt in lying to Congress, he seems to be furthering the larger conspiracy.

Comments

[Seamus]

The chutzpah of this guy is mind-boggling. His lawyers must have an inside track, just to propose such transparent self-serving crap. And calling it public service is another hoot. Where do they find these snakes?

[SaltinWound]

This is unbelievable.

[EH]

This of how much this must happen when there *isn't* a prison sentence involved.

[dougR]

I think there's something seriously wrong with all of these people--the Grileses, the Goodlings, the Gonzalezes, the ... --I mean, I read your first Griles post and immediately toggled over to Wiki to look up the distinction between "sociopath" and "psychopath." These guys are just plain defective human beings. At least with Watergate, you got the impression of a little contrition and/or awareness of wrongs, as the cell doors clunked shut behind those malefactors, but THESE guys? I'm sorry, there's a gene missing, or a frontal lobe, or a soul, or a conscience, or a healthy normal sense of shame or...something. With Griles in particular, it's like witnessing a bad zombie movie in which the dead guy, as I think Molly Ivins said once, is "walking around stinkin' and doesn't have the sense to lie down."

[mighty mouse]

I have great, great problems with Chuck Colson's ministry--but at least he didn't totally weasel out...??? I could be all wrong here, b/c his prison ministry is to me detestable but at least he doesn't hold himself above any and all prisoners, unlike fallen soldier Libby, Griles, etc.

[P J Evans]

If, Ghu forbid, the court decides to let him off with just community service, the court should also tell him where he can do it, and it should be someplace that does real community work, not one of his pet front groups. (An inner-city food bank would do: he'd have to deal with people who aren't wealthy white males.)

[pol]

Gee, I hope someone has informed the judge...

[freepatriot]

lest we forget, "Public Service isn't worth it" (cue the WATB tim griffin)

and "it's hard, its hard work" cue the WATB presnit)

oh, wait, we're talkin about "COMMUNITY" service ...

nevermind

/Emily Latella

[marysz]

Griles is beyond sleazy. His conviction has been unfortunately eclipsed by the Libby case, but it deserves more public notice. The damage he and his cronies (with Cheney's help) have done to the ecology of the West is incalculable.