Nepotism and Revolving Door Corruption At Christie DEP
DEP professionals need to blow the whistle on these kind of abuses
We are not a tabloid or rumor mill, but I find this revolting and want to get it out into the public light.
I want to report the following information which was provided to me by multiple credible sources over the last several months. I have no way to research, document, or prove this conclusively, but I believe that it is true because I believe my sources, who have first hand knowledge.
I do so to urge media, the legislature, US EPA, and/or government ethics bodies to investigate and find out the extent of this culture of corrupt practice that’s been ongoing in Bob Martin’s Department of Environmental Protection:
1) Case of Nepotism #1
I was told that former DEP Assistant Commissioner Michele Sierkerka, currently the head of the NJ Business and Industry Association, hired her child to work at DEP.
If true, this could violate civil service or ethics rules.
2) Revolving door abuse
I was told that Assistant Commissioner Sierkerka promoted unqualified DEP staffers to middle management positions.
These unqualified middle managers made water pollution permit decisions that over-rode staff recommendations and violated regulations and created significant environmental harm.
Subsequently, when Assistant Commissioner Sierkerka departed DEP to join NJBIA, she brought these same DEP middle managers that she had promoted along with her.
Thus, it appears that DEP regulations were bent or violated to grant favors and flawed permits to corporate member of NJBIA.
It also appears that these same unqualified and corrupt DEP middle mangers were then rewarded by jobs at NJBIA.
If true, this is the epitome of abuse and corruption and may constitute wrongdoing.
3) Case of Nepotism and Revolving Door Abuse
I was told that Karen Fell, who is a senior manger in DEP’s Water supply regulatory program, hired her child to work at DEP.
A few months later, this child was then hired by a major private water company regulated by DEP and Ms. Fell.
Municipal water purveyors have raised concerns that Ms. Fell is biased towards private water companies.
I really try to stay away from this kind of dirt, but all of this is unprofessional, unethical, and compromises the public interest and the public trust and confidence in DEP.