Rep Johnson seeks ouster of Commerce Department inspector general

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) -- the ranking Democrat on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee -- called for President Barack Obama to fire Todd Zinser, the Commerce Department’s inspector general, after a congressional probe uncovered a pattern of alleged misconduct, including retaliation against whistleblowers and the hiring of a suspected girlfriend.

In a statement for the Congressional Record, Rep Johnson laid out a long string of evidence suggesting that Zinser created a toxic work environment and engaged in the types of activities he is supposed to guard against. In a brief response to the accusations, Zinser said he asked the Council of Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency to review his conduct. He declined to provide specific details about the nature of the analysis. “We cooperated with the review of the US House Science Committee and we will cooperate with the Council of Inspectors General,” he said.