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Weapons depot target of inquiry
PRESERVE EVIDENCE FOR FEDERAL GRAND JURY, OFFICIALS TOLD
By Cassondra Kirby
CENTRAL KENTUCKY BUREAU
RICHMOND --
The U.S. Justice Department has convened a grand jury to look into reports of possible criminal wrongdoing involving chemical weapons storage operations at Blue Grass Army Depot in Richmond, according to a letter obtained by the Herald-Leader.
In the letter dated Feb. 8, Jeffrey Phillips, a Justice Department lawyer in the Environmental Crimes Section, informs depot officials that they "must preserve all potentially relevant evidence associated with the grand jury's subpoena on Dec. 1, 2006, and the ongoing criminal investigation" involving the Chemical Weapons Activity, which is responsible for the safe, secure storage of the chemical weapons stockpile.
The letter, released by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, or PEER, a Washington-based group that helps whistle blowers whose situations involve environmental issues, did not say what criminal allegations the grand jury is investigating.
The letter asked that depot officials preserve documents concerning site conditions and the deterioration of the chemical weapons storage area as well as documents relating to worker safety and compliance with environmental regulations.
Jeff Ruch, the executive director of PEER, said the department's investigation stems from the treatment of an employee who alleged in 2005 that the depot wasn't following proper protocols in checking for possible chemical weapons leaks.
Since then, three more employees have contacted PEER with similar allegations, he said.
http://www.lexingtonheraldleader.com/178/story/30985.html
PRESERVE EVIDENCE FOR FEDERAL GRAND JURY, OFFICIALS TOLD
By Cassondra Kirby
CENTRAL KENTUCKY BUREAU
RICHMOND --
The U.S. Justice Department has convened a grand jury to look into reports of possible criminal wrongdoing involving chemical weapons storage operations at Blue Grass Army Depot in Richmond, according to a letter obtained by the Herald-Leader.
In the letter dated Feb. 8, Jeffrey Phillips, a Justice Department lawyer in the Environmental Crimes Section, informs depot officials that they "must preserve all potentially relevant evidence associated with the grand jury's subpoena on Dec. 1, 2006, and the ongoing criminal investigation" involving the Chemical Weapons Activity, which is responsible for the safe, secure storage of the chemical weapons stockpile.
The letter, released by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, or PEER, a Washington-based group that helps whistle blowers whose situations involve environmental issues, did not say what criminal allegations the grand jury is investigating.
The letter asked that depot officials preserve documents concerning site conditions and the deterioration of the chemical weapons storage area as well as documents relating to worker safety and compliance with environmental regulations.
Jeff Ruch, the executive director of PEER, said the department's investigation stems from the treatment of an employee who alleged in 2005 that the depot wasn't following proper protocols in checking for possible chemical weapons leaks.
Since then, three more employees have contacted PEER with similar allegations, he said.
http://www.lexingtonheraldleader.com/178/story/30985.html