La. Sen. Landrieu Demands FEMA Resignation

Following CBS News Investigation Revealing New Orleans Bureaucracy Stalling Rebuilding, Senator Calls For Change

(CBS)  U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu called for the resignation Thursday of Doug Whitmer, FEMA chief of staff of the Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office in New Orleans, following a CBS News investigation that detailed cronyism, sexual harassment and racial discrimination in their New Orleans office.

CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian reported Wednesday that more than 30 complaints had been filed by employees against Whitmer in the last year, creating an environment of constant delays on rebuilding projects in the area following Hurricane Katrina.

“It was very disturbing to see the CBS story about the dysfunction at the New Orleans FEMA recovery office,” said Sen. Landrieu, D-La. “The people in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama are shocked to hear that our recovery has been slowed by the toxic environment created by the office’s management.”

Landrieu said she expected Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano do complete a comprehensive review of FEMA leadership, and fire incompetent employees.

“There was not one, not a dozen, but 30 complaints against one employee,” Landrieu said. “The clean-up process should begin with the resignation of Doug Whitmer.”

CBS News reported that nearly $4 billion intended to rebuild the Gulf Coast remain unspent. That's 68 percent of the $6 billion promised by FEMA.

This is leaving hundreds of projects, like a police station in New Orleans, and the Charity Hospital, waiting.

Three senior level staff people in the New Orleans office, which is responsible for distributing FEMA money, spoke with CBS News on the condition on anonymity.

"The harassment, the equal rights - violations that are currently taking place over there, this office is slowing down the recovery in this region.” said one former FEMA employee.

[rickstas]

No intelligent life in here, I see.

[gosuckabug2day]

What's the problem Senator Landrieu? FEMA and the American tax payer haven't given you enough yet? The sooner the next hurricane flushes Ray (Wha's muh Femuh?) Nagin's "Chocolate Toilette Beneath the Sea" into the gulf the better. New orleans and it's ilk make me want to puke!

[hetup-2009]

I agree with other readers who have commented about Louisiana and New Orleans. It is a third world country. New Orleans should be abandoned and left to sink into the Mississippi mud. As for the Senator or anyone else representing Louisiana, they have no voice. They are idiots as they have proven over and over again. We don't need them and I really don't care about them. Get with the program or go away.

[jackp32]

We the people demand your resignation Senator. You are most ineffective and do not deserve to continue in office. Gov. Jendl should replace you.

[sean1z]

Doug Whitmer should resign immediately. His office failed to distribute funds for the repair and rebuilding after the Katrina Hurricane. Response and recovery are two key functions of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Pennsylvania Emergency Management Director Adrian King was terminated after he refused to assist New Orleans after the storm hit. The People of the city deserve prompt execution of grants.

[mjvwsr]

Is this the same person who backs dollar bill Jefferson?? Well I am sure she knows all about corruption. The only reason LA is in such bad shape is that it is just like Chicago, Pay to Play. So why is she outraged? When Katrina was coming, did she do anything? tell people to run for their lives? no even the great mayor of NO sat on his behind and let the disaster happen and then blamed Bush for everything that happened. What we should have done was nothing. Let the waters slowly go down. Then light a match and burn all the debries and start over. Even the rats left NO, but not the people.
Posted by platteman

worth repeating

[suzyku]

The typical nasty rethugs posting on here are just as stupid as their sainted (NOT) leaders! Dumb as rocks, clueless, don't get it!

[candy-apple]

Only now that Senator Cao has raised a stink is she DEMANDING resignations. Where has she been for the last 3 years???

[renonv5]

La. Sen. Landrieu Demands FEMA Resignation

Can't she just immediately fire his azz?? Then bring him up on charges of harrassment?
That is alot of complaints!

[zeke494]

The Bush, Neocon legacy lives on. Not only trickle down economics, but also trickle down FEMA! This is shameful.

[creeper00]

This came as news to Landrieu? She is the one who should have broken that story. It's her state, for crying out loud. Doesn't she know what's going on in it?

[platteman]

Is this the same person who backs dollar bill Jefferson?? Well I am sure she knows all about corruption. The only reason LA is in such bad shape is that it is just like Chicago, Pay to Play. So why is she outraged? When Katrina was coming, did she do anything? tell people to run for their lives? no even the great mayor of NO sat on his behind and let the disaster happen and then blamed Bush for everything that happened. What we should have done was nothing. Let the waters slowly go down. Then light a match and burn all the debries and start over. Even the rats left NO, but not the people.

[tmittelstaed]

"If you had been Bill Clinton would you have admitted to having sex with That fat woman? Me neither.... If she'd have been hot Bill would have said... Wow... Sure I had sex with that woman... over and over, many, many times."

Find a recent picture of her - she went back to school and graduated in England a few years ago - and she is -very- hot nowadays - doesen't look a thing like she did. Unfortunately, she seems to think everyone in the US hates her and appears to have decided to make her permanent residence in the UK.

[ramos1129]

I would not fire anyone at the moment. I would suspend everyone having to do with this office even the guys in DC who did not take action. Then I would have the FBI investigate everything having to do with this affair. I have no doubt that some crimes were committed and the ones responsible should be punished.

[jetranger7]

Figures, just more of BUSHS arrogrant regime that all Tax Payers from both parties have to pay to support this guys salary, FIRE HIM IMMEDIATELY and have several US Marshalls standing by to escort him right out the door too ! No more pay and he has to Forfeit all his benefits and Pension and serve 10 years in prision no exceptions no excuses no debate !!!! FIRE HIS WORTHLESS BUTT NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[searingtruth]

"How come Bush and Cheney arent doing time in jail right now?"
sockpuppet4


Because we no longer have a free and investigative press, and most Americans seem to have forgotten what being an American means.

In fact, Obama supporters seem blissfully unaware that Obama's "justice" department has already invoked the Bush administrations infamous "national security" excuse for crimes against humanity numerous times, and will continue to do so.

After all, Obama voted for secret prisons and torture repeatedly as a Senator.

So why would he change his mind now.
ST


"We elected those who had stolen our freedom to restore it."
SearingTruth, March 2008

A Future of the Brave

[sockpuppet4]

How come Bush and Cheney arent doing time in jail right now?

[searingtruth]

"It is the entire circumstance that concerns me, not the small window which peers in upon it."
SearingTruth

A Future of the Brave

[harbinger19]

Too busy chasing booooootie and hiring friends who also like to chase boootie instead of rebuilding the state? At least they did not spend the money and were just intent on booooootie.

[BigEasyNative]

Our local CBS station in New Orleans has always been biased towards the Landrieu machine in this City. The new Republican Mr Cao is the one who had the guts to investigate FEMA, and Landrieu's PR person fed this story to CBS!

Katrina was as bad as it was because of the Democrats we had in office at the time. We flushed out Gov Blanco. Mayor Nagin is only making things worse in the City, and will be soon out of office. Landrieu is always trying grab headlines and this will be her last term!