Justice Department: US Marshals Misused As Sports Escorts

WASHINGTON — Investigators say a lawyer for the U.S. Marshals Service used government cars and armed deputies to drive himself and broadcasters to major sporting events like the Super Bowl and the World Series.

A report issued Monday by the Justice Department's inspector general was highly critical of the lawyer, Joseph Band, who worked in the agency's Washington office.

Band also worked as a part-time statistician for Fox Sports, and he came under scrutiny after he received rides to two World Series games in 2007 in Boston, as well as the 2008 Super Bowl in Phoenix.

The report issued Monday by Inspector General Glenn Fine found Band sometimes got escorts not just for himself, but for broadcasters as well.

Fox Sports spokesman Dan Bell said company officials were unaware "that those arrangements were in any way inappropriate, and regret to learn now that they apparently were."

Fine said use of armed government agents as a VIP car service violates ethical standards, and U.S. Marshals in the cities Band visited should not have agreed to his requests.

Band "regularly and inappropriately solicited and received assistance of (marshal service) resources for his personal activities, in violation of government ethical rules," the report concluded.

Band retired from the agency earlier this month, said his lawyer, Jacob Stein.

In a written defense of Band's conduct, Stein said marshals often assist at sporting events and other high-profile activities, and his client had, on his own time, assisted with "public activities helpful to the community reputation of the service."

Band maintained he was granted permission for government personnel "to take time off for the events he covered," and had no "control, knowledge, or decision-making discretion with respect to the use of any government vehicle or government personnel," Stein said.

One deputy marshal said he picked up Band at the airport to bring him to an NFL playoff game in Tampa Bay, then drove Band back to the airport, leading the way for limousines carrying two broadcasters.

The deputy, who was not identified in the report, said he didn't question whether it was appropriate to do so because Band "was the guy who advises us on ethics."

The Marshals Service said it agreed with the report's conclusions that the agency should tighten its oversight of its employees' outside work.

Comments

[lagumbo]

I am sure you won't hear this on Faux Noise. I don't watch them myself, but OBERMANN will have a fields day with it. Was their any dept. in the Bush's Adm. that function within the law.?How did we make it thruogh these eight years? Well Limbaugh, Hannity, and Billo the clown will not be on the white house payroll anymore. They will have to relie on the uneducated marons who listen to their retherotic to support them now.

[cityspeak]

Murdock doesn't come cheap people.

[bogues]

Just watch, FOX NEWS will lead the parade and they will be the ones to scrutinize the Obama administration and hold them to a standard that they did not hold themselves or Mr. Bush. I do hope that the public will call them on their hypocrisy this time.

[litespeedrider]

As a former federal HR Manager and retired executive, I am very familiar with the rules covering the usage of government vehicles. The minimum penalty for using one inappropriately (and ferrying Fox reporters on off-duty time surely qualifies as inappropriate unofficial usage) is a 30-day suspension. Maybe Fox is unaware, but the Justice Department employees surely would know this. It's time for them to be held accountable!

[scooperss]

Sounds about right with the rest of the BA.

"The deputy, who was not identified in the report, said he didn't question whether it was appropriate to do so because Band "was the guy who advises us on ethics."

[grf67]

And the Justice Dept is doin what to ensure that the laws are being followed? Who is being charged in this case?

[HWNA]

It sounds like no one is being charged with anything; don't worry though, they have written a nice report, which as we all know will serve as a harsh deterrent to any future unethical activity.

[irisda]

They want small government, but engage in politics anyway and proceed to suck all the resources for their personal gains. Talking about freedom all the time, while average americans are struggling, specifically because of these people's incompetence. I think the GOP secretly likes big government only if it's for their benefits. They're a bunch of selfish people. I don't understand why such a big segment of the population continuously votes for them, against their own self interest. They need to open their eyes!

[ChiGuy]

"Fox Sports spokesman Dan Bell said company officials were unaware "that those arrangements were in any way inappropriate, and regret to learn now that they apparently were.""
__________________________________________________________________________

Any 8th grader with rudimentary study of government would know that it was inappropriate.
So stop lying.

[weatherwaxx]

FAUX NEWS do something DISHONEST?

Get me the smelling salts, I may swoon!

[tel8034]

FAUX News has become the propaganda arm of the GOP and the Bush White House, so they must have "believed" that they were just another authorized government department, and had a right to use government property and services.

[Totto]

Fire his ass, and send him the bill!

[NCRedhead]

Hey, Fox...can I get a ride to the Super Bowl too...in your government caravan? Oops...sorry, you won't have that ride after Jan. 20th!

[jcollell]

Ah, you gotta love it. Even Fox has a piece of the action!

http://www.youspar.com/

[peter777]

The government needs to send Fox a bill for the services rendered.

[NoSandwiches]

pants on fire