Joint Hearing on NASA IG
June 8th, 2007 by Jesse LeeYesterday Members of the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and Members of the Senate Subcommittee on Space, Aeronautics and Related Sciences held a joint hearing to review the case against NASA Inspector General Robert “Moose” Cobb. Cobb remains on the job after a six-month investigation by the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency (PCIE) found that Cobb had abused his authority and exhibited the appearance of a lack of independence from NASA management.
Subcommittee Chairman Brad Miller gives opening remarks:
Chairman Miller: “The findings of abuse of authority by the PCIE Mr. Cobb’s abusive and degrading treatment of his staff, resulting in massive staff turnover and affecting productivity. Mr. Cobb referred to this group of professional staff as “bureauons,” Mr. Cobb’s shorthand for bureaucratic morons, and by other vulgar terms that I will not repeat here. Rather than dwell on the abusive atmosphere created by Mr. Cobb and its effect on productivity, I want to make sure that the second finding regarding the appearance of a lack of independence receives the attention that it requires…” |
Former NASA Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Deborah Herzog gives opening testimony on her experience working under Cobb:
Deborah Herzog: “In two cases approximately six months apart, Mr. Cobb was notified several hours before NASA OIG agents and FBI agents were to execute search warrants at NASA properties. Mr. Cobb said he would not allow the warrants to proceed before reading the affidavits, despite the fact that the responsible OIG supervisor had approved the warrants, the assistant United States Attorney assigned to the case thought the warrants were fine, and the warrants were signed by a United States Magistrate Judge. After reading the warrants, Mr. Cobb’s opinions included: there was no probable cause, the assistant US Attorney was stupid, and the NASA agents must have hoodwinked the magistrate.” |
Herzog also commented on Cobb’s abusive behavior:
“One of my early experiences with Mr. Cobb was so disturbing that I considered leaving the OIG almost immediately afterwards. At a scheduled weekly meeting, Mr. Cobb, in front of his deputy and my supervisor berated me concerning a word in a letter. In an ensuing monologue loudly peppered with profanities, Mr. Cobb insulted and ridiculed me. After the meeting I told Mr. Cobb one-on-one that I did not expect my superior to use profanity, that the use of profanity was unacceptable, and I would not tolerate profanity. Mr. Cobb listened and gave me no indication if he agreed or disagreed. In the months to come, however, I regularly observed and heard of Mr. Cobb using profanity to berate and demean employees.”