Sen. Vitter Demands Investigation into EPA Fraud

A former aide to the new chief of the Environmental Protection Agency has been charged with stealing nearly $900,000 from the agency, prompting calls from Congress to investigate whether corruption within the agency is more widespread.

John C. Beale, a former deputy assistant administrator in the Office of Air and Radiation that was led by new EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, is accused of stealing the money over a 13-year period through bonuses and padding salary checks, The Hill and Associated Press reported.

The 64-year-old Arlington, Va. man faces 10 years in prison and financial fines if found guilty.

The Hill reports that Louisiana's Sen. David Vitter, the ranking Republican on the Senate Environment Committee, says there is a pattern of fraudulent activity at the contentious agency and is demanding a congressional investigation.

"There appears to be corruption to the umpteenth degree," Vitter said.

"It’s clear that further investigations are necessary, and at the appropriate time we’ll need answers -- a whole lot of answers," Vitter said.