Environmental Crimes and the Responsible Government Official

During the past decade the federal government has engaged in a multimillion-dollar effort to build a comprehensive nationwide enforcement program to investigate and prosecute environmental crimes. Initially, the attention of the investigators and prosecutors was directed at "midnight dumpers" and a few "irresponsible" corporations. Recently, however, the government's focus has expanded to include less traditional targets, including government employees. Indeed, more than a handful of government employees are now convicted felons paying for their environmental transgressions. Because most environmental statutes make no