Investigation Will Determine If Klamath Irrigators’ Group Misused Federal Funds
by Jes Burns
OPB/EarthFix
July 2, 2015
Chinook salmon photo courtesy USFWS.
A government whistleblower protection office has authorized an investigation into alleged misuse of federal funds by a Klamath Basin irrigators’ group.
Earlier this spring, two federal biologists filed a whistleblower complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. They said the Klamath Water and Power Agency used money earmarked for drought-stressed fish to pay for things like office space, travel and employee salaries.
Since 2008, nearly $50 million in federal dollars has been paid to the Klamath organization.
The Interior Department is now charged with conducting an investigation. The results are due later this summer.