U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs, see Tony Babauta, recipe who is responsible for overseeing the Pacific Island region, viagra approved including Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Guam, and CNMI– has been placed on administrative leave. Pacific Daily News is reporting that he is being investigated over allegations of misconduct that involve his travel expenses and the procurement of a grant awarded by his office. The federal investigation will be conducted by the Inspector General. Details of the investigation are thus far scarce.
Babauta is a native of Guam and is currently the highest ranking native Pacific Islander serving in the U.S. government.
According to DOI’s 2011 human resources handbook, administrative leave does not constitute an adverse action per se; however, placing an employee on administrative leave is done only “in the most exceptional situations . . . when all other options are considered imprudent.”
His post has been temporarily reassigned during his leave to Eileen Sobeck, who previously served as U.S. Interior Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. She is now “acting” Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs.
To date, Babauta has made no public comment about his suspension.
