Wykle Announces Actions in Response To Inspector General Report |
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Topics: Kenneth R. Wykle
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Federal Highway Administration
January 21, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, January 21, 1999
Contact: Gail Shibley
Tel.: (202) 366-0660
FHWA 04-99
Federal Highway Administrator Kenneth R. Wykle today made the following statement:
"The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Inspector General recently completed an investigation regarding conduct by some members of the Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Motor Carriers (OMC) senior management.
"The Inspector General’s report indicates a serious breach of departmental policy and congressional prohibition against lobbying contained in the FY 1998 DOT Appropriations Act. I am deeply disturbed by the report’s findings, and we will act firmly and swiftly in response to them.
"While the report concluded that the conduct in question did not warrant referral to the U.S. Department of Justice for criminal prosecution, I am nonetheless initiating a thorough internal review to determine appropriate administrative action for all individuals involved. As federal legal guidelines prohibit certain public statements about this review, I will have no further comment about it at this time.
"Above all, we will vigorously pursue appropriate actions to ensure that continuing to improve safety remains our very top priority."
Administrator Wykle also announced that, consistent with a recommendation of the report and following through on an earlier personnel agreement, Ms. Julie Anna Cirillo has been named Associate Administrator for Motor Carriers. Ms. Cirillo, currently overseeing FHWA’s reorganization, brings an impressive array of skills honed in her 21 years of technical, management and executive experience in the agency. Her distinguished career includes years of leading the agency’s safety efforts, including the Safety Management, Safety Technology and Safety Design programs. Upon approval and implementation of the Washington Headquarters restructuring, Cirillo’s title will become Program Manager, Motor Carrier and Highway Safety.