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Federal Judge Finds EPA in Comtempt 7/31/03 U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth has found the Environmental Protection Agency in contempt of his restraining orders "to preserve and protect its records concerning environmental rules written in the final months before President Clinton left office." The lawsuit was brought against the agency for repeatedly failing to respond to FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests. Carol Browner, then EPA Administrator, had her computer hard drive destroyed the day after the judge's order and deputy administrator W. Michael McCabe deleted pertinent e-mails in succeeding days. EPA's General Counsel Gary S. Guzy and the U.S. Attorney's Office failed to inform top officials or staff about the restraining order, even though it was handling the case. EPA will have to pay Landmark Legal Foundation, the plaintiff, tens of thousands of dollars for legal costs. Judge Lamberth did not find the top officials in contempt because there was no proof they knew of the order before they destroyed the evidence. Draw your own conclusions. RELATED STORY: EPA Held in Contempt By Judge - WA Post
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