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NPS official pleads guilty

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Nov 1, 2007 12:00 AM (302 days ago) by Scott McCabe, The Examiner
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Related Topics: WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - The highest-ranking internal investigator for the National Park Service pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing from the agency charged with protecting the nation’s natural and cultural resources.

Patricia Buccello, the national special agent in charge for the National Park Service, admitted in federal court to using the government credit card to buy more than $4,000 in airline tickets over a two-year period to fly from D.C. to Maine, where her husband, David, is the park ranger for the Acadia National Park.

In all, Buccello admitted to misspending more than $10,000.

Buccello, 55, faces six months in prison, according to federal guidelines. On Friday, she retired after nearly 30 years’ service as a park ranger or criminal investigator. She had been the NPS top special agent since 2003, overseeing the regional supervisors and more than 45 special agents around the country. Buccello’s sentencing is set for Jan. 9.

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“It’s a job that the public expects extra integrity and honesty,” said David Barna, chief spokesman for the National Park Service. “That’s why it’s been so difficult for us. It’s just a shame.”

The U.S. Department of the Interior Office of the Inspector General began investigating Buccello after she failed to show up for a March ceremony honoring fallen NPS officers in Jacksonville, Fla., according to court documents. Instead of attending the ceremony, Buccello gave up her airline seat in exchange for a free round-trip ticket, but told her boss and investigators that the flight to Jacksonville had been canceled, prosecutors said.

A year earlier Buccello also failed to fly to St. Louis and deliver a fatality report to the wife of an NPS officer who had died in the line of duty. Buccello called the widow and told her that she couldn’t make it to Missouri because the plane was stuck on the tarmac, but investigators learned that none of the flights that Buccello was scheduled to take was delayed that day.

smccabe@dcexaminer.com

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Comments from Examiner Readers

6:19 PM MST on Sat., Jun. 7, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
An Examiner Reader on 7:51 am, January 3, 2008 advised that the investigative report would soon be provided due to a FOIA request. Has there been any response to that request?

 7 agree | 1 disagree
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4:42 PM MST on Mon., Mar. 10, 2008 re: "Park Service officer charged with stealing from agency"

 Examiner Reader said:
Its all about political promises and Senator Coburn owes a payback to the NRA.

 3 agree | 1 disagree
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1:12 PM MST on Sun., Mar. 9, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
If this CFR revision takes place, there will almost certainly be an increase in poaching and other shooting of wildlife in the National Parks. Current regulations require all firearms to be kept in a locked case while in a National Park. This has worked well for decades, so why change it?

 5 agree | 1 disagree
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6:01 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Park Service officer charged with stealing from agency"

 Examiner Reader said:
Ok,so they finally got rid of someone who should have been fired years ago. Now we have even a better issue. How about the latest with the Secretary being told to get rid of the CFR regulation prohibiting guns in the national parks. Yep, that's right. In about three months, you may just be allowed to walk around a park with your assault rifle and no one can do a thing to you. This is sound politics.

 26 agree | 27 disagree
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6:55 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 31, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
I've printed off these exchanges for all my ranger staff to read. Why? Because the dominant, whining "us versus them" mentality reflected in so many comments is poisonous and of absolutely no positive or healthy use to anyone - although the anonymous venom spitting may bring temporary comfort to the author(s). Unless you're part of the solution, you're part of the problem. Pat's actions were outrageous, incomprehensible, and a huge black eye to the agency and to Rangers. But let it go, folks; as at leat one other has noted, there are far more important issues out there. Many of these postings positively shout out "Oh Poor Me!" Do we have issues and shortcomings? Without question. Are we, on balance, hard-working, ethical, and competent. Yes. Internet posted gripes or coffee room bitching will never, ever make us better. The "victim" mentality serves no useful purpose and merely diminishes all of us, what we stand for, and what we strive to accomplish. Look in the mirror and grow up

 40 agree | 50 disagree
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7:16 PM MST on Wed., Jan. 30, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
Unless I'm missing something, she wasn't accused by any of the commenters of 60K theft. That was one writer's figure of her commutes, authorized by her supervisor, before the IG put a stop to it. You seem to be guilty of what you accuse others.

 40 agree | 32 disagree
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1:42 PM MST on Wed., Jan. 30, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
I doubt if anyone knows all the comment writers either so I don't understand why I cannot make an observation as you said below. Yup, I'll stand by my "grossly exaggerating" analysis of some of the writers...obviously they don't have facts so they make stuff up like Pat's grade...she was not a 15; ....the fact that the govt can only take away qualifying retirement for an "act of treason"...the gross exaggeration that the theft amounted to $60k...the exaggeration that an 1811 GS 14 would get $100k in retirement...As with the old FOP discussion board, there is no accountability to anonymous postings on the internet. Again, thousands are dying in wars, the economy is dumping, kids in the USA are starving...time to get over our relatively minor gripes and work to save the desitute of the world. I bet you'd feel alot better than re-living what you see as past wrongs.

 42 agree | 50 disagree
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9:44 AM MST on Wed., Jan. 30, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
I find the issues presented here to be valid items for discussion. The "Grossly exaggerating" part is your generalized assumption about people you don't probably don't even know.

 42 agree | 35 disagree
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1:50 PM MST on Tue., Jan. 29, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
Reading these comments for the first time leaves me shaking my head. Sounds like the old days when the FOP discussion board was overrun with a few bitter, disgruntled people grossly exaggerating issues because they have been unsuccessful in their careers. Sure, what Pat did was very wrong. She is paying a price that is warranted yet certainly no "slap on the wrist." But let's be real people; she is not responsible for your dismal career. Take some responsibility for your life! OK, so I know I'll get torn apart by the angry ones out there...move on with your life please. There are real problems in this world that need your energy not this dismal matter.

 44 agree | 55 disagree
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7:17 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 29, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
A new Fail Summit will be a good opportunity to schmooze and spend per diem money on food and booze. It's always a great time to party at these lavish taxpayer funded affairs. The simplistic jargon laden working documents produced and the attendant self-serving blather will take up even more valuable agency time as it is needlessly dispensed to all the various park units in the field. The same old, same old is what the NPS is all about.

 30 agree | 47 disagree
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5:04 PM MST on Mon., Jan. 28, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
Examiner Reader 1:23pm 1/28/08: Your comment really nailed it. Perspective: I once took your test, stood up and complained about a patrol supervisor drinking on duty. I suffered reprisal. Nothing was done about the problem, which on a later occasion directly threatened other rangers; the individual was intoxicated when called to provide emergency backup. The system is broke, and bringing a bunch of managers together for another Vail Summit isn't going to cut it.

 35 agree | 38 disagree
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1:23 PM MST on Mon., Jan. 28, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
So Pat doesn’t get a Retired Law Enforcement credential….big deal. This is part of her sentence? The credential states in part…”The named individual has honorably completed a career in serving the citizens of the United States as a U.S. Park Ranger. So she didn’t get something she wasn’t eligible for in the first place. Who cares? What does stink is that she got her full LE enhanced retirement. Many rangers fought with the agency for years to get LE retirement and many who were fully deserving of it were denied. Pat, by collecting an LE pension and NPS Managers trying to prevent further embarrassment are flipping the “one finger salute” to all the rangers who work their entire careers with total honesty and integrity. As a senior law enforcement officer Pat made a conscious decision to become dishonest. Shame on her.

 49 agree | 36 disagree
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7:11 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 25, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
Why remove comments about things that are documented as truth?

 43 agree | 43 disagree
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3:43 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 24, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
When you look at the past convictions of some of our Park Superintendents such as the “peeper” and the documented abuse of hard drugs by others (Striker at NERI), Pat is now fully qualified to be a Superintendent.

 38 agree | 22 disagree
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2:02 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 24, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 GOOD! said:
This is a SAD day. She pays $20,000. She will now get a consulting job with some security firm or another agency. She gets her $100,000+ retirement that some of the Rangers who she has S_it on help pay for with our fed taxes and she flys home to Maine. Sits on her front porch swing for 2 years and laughs as the retirement checks come in. As stated before, Pat will answer to a higher court some day, then she will see what HELL is like.

 39 agree | 39 disagree
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9:38 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 24, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Perspective said:
If the miscounduct is seen and not reported, then that falls just as uch on the person who fails to report it. If you're not willing to stand up as the person(s) who reported Pat Buccello did, then you don't have a right to complain. The system worked on this one. I'd say that the sentence was probably in line with what others in similar circumstances have received. The real rub here is not the money, it's who she did it to. She got hers.

 40 agree | 42 disagree
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8:03 PM MST on Wed., Jan. 23, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
This reported "Sentence" is really pathetic. Getting caught committing criminal misconduct, and getting off without meaningful punishment doesn't make for much deterrence. Especially with higher management types. Think of how much of this kind of misconduct that is going on without being reported or investigated.

 49 agree | 44 disagree
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6:14 PM MST on Wed., Jan. 23, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
She got sentenced this afternoon....2 years probation, $10,000 additional fine on top of the 10 grand restitution, no retirement credentials, no law enforcement job afterwards. The government asked for 4 months home confinement with electronic monitoring, but the Judge did not go for that; too bad.

 25 agree | 33 disagree
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8:51 AM MST on Wed., Jan. 23, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 GOOD! said:
I TOTALLY agree with the statement about not signing due to retributions. To Schadenfreude - try reporting to your NPS office EVERY day and not knowing if you have a job. Pat has already caused me to loose about $10,000 a year in my pay, from my position as a LEO to a Staff Ranger. I have already seen the "CUT" list at my park and my position is first one the list, if cuts are needed. This is not about mob madness, Rangers across the country are finally able to watch as the "Special Agent from HELL" is feeling it from our side. Our difficulty is knowing Pat will be allowed to "retire" with full benefits and other, like me, have had our LEO package cut by her and the decissions of the Board. We started with the Service before these Medical Standards were born, but the Board did not see fit to "Grandfather" us in. So for the Hell we have indured sence 1997 we do get some pleasure from Pats own doings. Side bar - check how many NPS Ranger have gone over to USFS fearing whats next in NPS.

 24 agree | 38 disagree
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1:22 PM MST on Tue., Jan. 22, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
Most of the commentors here don't seem to be taking pleasure in the suffering of others, but are looking for justice. Many dedicated NPS employees lost their jobs because of PB. I belive she should be held to the same standards she imposed on others, and be treated in an equitable manner and not cushioned by her high status. The liklihood that she will collect full law enforcement retirement while many of her victims won't is tough to swollow. And, once again, how about "Supervisor accountability"?

 44 agree | 39 disagree
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10:11 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 22, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
We won't sign our names because of the very real fear of retribution that is the reality of daily life in the NPS. We do our job and then duck our heads. It is somewhat satisfying to see this dual-career couple from Hell finally get a karmic payback of sorts. Believe me they dished out way more than is being blown back.

 35 agree | 31 disagree
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9:46 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 22, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Schadenfreude said:
Schadenfreude – The taking of pleasure in the misfortunes of others seems to be getting a little out of hand here. I have a hard time believing most of you NPS employees would be willing to sign your names to these postings. This comment list looks like a public stoning! What next? Can’t someone find something mean to say about their dog?

 40 agree | 43 disagree
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9:47 AM MST on Mon., Jan. 21, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
I am just wondering if Pat will use one of those tickets she got from the bumps to get to DC for the hearing (lol)!!! I would guess she made it a round trip ticket, knowing that a slap on the wrist is coming.

 34 agree | 29 disagree
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6:21 PM MST on Sun., Jan. 20, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 C.D. said:
Maybe WASO has Dave in mind for Pat's former job. Then, despite DC being the official duty station, his supervisor might be persuaded to have the NPS pay for his weekly commute back to ME. If something doesn't work the first time, try and try again until it does.

 24 agree | 28 disagree
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5:03 PM MST on Sat., Jan. 19, 2008 re: "Park Service officer charged with stealing from agency"

 Examiner Reader said:
Dave didnt show up till the afternoon of the 9th to the EMS conference. I wouldnt jump to quick about him not supporting his wife. Lets not forget how many boondoggles the two of them have participated in. The interesting story is that WASO paid for Dave to fly to the EMS conference whereas all the other attendees had to have their own park pay.

 45 agree | 48 disagree
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8:22 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 15, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
Yes, Pat's sentencing hearing has been rescheduled for 01.23.08. Dave Buccello attended the EMS Conferance and was not going to be at the original 01.09.08 hearing. He is not standing behind her either. Hmmm?

 49 agree | 52 disagree
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1:12 PM MST on Mon., Jan. 14, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 GOOD! said:
This is going to be like her case, no update and hopefully forgotten, she wishes. Yea right! We are waiting to see or hear as soon as someone learns of P's sentencing. But we know, Pat will get off and not have to pay. We know the Gov. will pay - her retirement, court fees, and probably cost of moving her home to MA. Wonder if she will fly home? When is the retirement party and what gift are "we", her victims, getting her. I have an old "get out of jail free card" from my Monopoly game, it seems she has already played hers. If someone learns of Pat's fate, pass it on! Remember Pat, if the Federal Judge lets you off down here, you WILL have to answer for the way you treated Rangers on judgement day, up there.

 40 agree | 43 disagree
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2:02 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 10, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
Is there an update? An earlier comment stated that Pat was to be sentenced on January 9th; another comment said January 23rd.

 37 agree | 40 disagree
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6:47 PM MST on Tue., Jan. 8, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
Based on my experience in dealing with illegal acts of NPS employees you can bet your bottom dollar that Justice (United States Attorney’s Office) consulted with NPS management on the disposition of Pat’s case. As the old saying goes, it takes two to tango and in this case it took two to give Pat here free ride into retirement.

 49 agree | 49 disagree
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11:06 PM MST on Mon., Jan. 7, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
I agree that the supervisor/manager is at fault for poor oversight. However, it is my understanding she filed for retirement, and did not resign. Her supervisor has no authority over approving or disapproving retirement. If she meet the OPM qualifications (which I know she did) then it is just a matter of processing the action. She was smart enough to know this was the correct avenue to avoid internal personnel actions.

 37 agree | 37 disagree
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6:41 PM MST on Sun., Jan. 6, 2008 re: "Park Service officer charged with stealing from agency"

 Examiner Reader said:
The IG's report was obviously good enough to bring to the Justice Department for prosecution. In this case, it was not the IG's office who went soft, but rather the Justice Dept. for offering such a pathetic plea agreement. We can also blame her supervisor for accepting her resignation so early. They should have waited for her to be convicted then would have had no problem firing her. End of story, no retirement, and no future in LE.

 40 agree | 45 disagree
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5:11 PM MST on Sat., Jan. 5, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
This IG has a reputation for kid gloves treatment of highest-level managers. An example is former Interior Deputy Secretary Steven Griles, who blatently violated DOI regulations regarding ties to lobbyists. He received a slap on the wrist from the IG for significant ethics violations(Remember this easy treatment of a "Big Boy" when you're forced to attend the next session of annual Ethics Training). Griles subsequently lied to Congress about the extent of those ties, and is currently in prison for perjury. I agree with the previous poster: The IG's report should make interesting reading.

 45 agree | 48 disagree
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1:56 PM MST on Sat., Jan. 5, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
Using the tool of FOIA, we will soon have a copy of the IGs and NPS reports involving Pat. Should make interesting reading and the results we be posted here and/or on the Ranger FOP web page. One big question that many inside NPS have been asking is this: “Where was her supervisor in all of this?” Many believe her supervisor was asleep at the helm OR the investigation did not want to look into supervisor accountability.

 39 agree | 44 disagree
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7:51 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 3, 2008 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
Outside of this web page, nothing else exists on the web concerning this issue....we have bigger problems facing us. Written history is harder to destroy, harder to rewrite.The web can be chaged in a keystroke. Where has all the information gone? When we wake up it'll be way too late. Your pc is just becoming an access portal, no longer storing / serving information. thats all farmed out to servers with someones else control, and we can only harvest what they let us. Where are we going in the next 10 years..?

 28 agree | 29 disagree
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5:56 PM MST on Thu., Dec. 20, 2007 re: "Park Service officer charged with stealing from agency"

 Examiner Reader said:
It seems most of you are missing the point of what Pat did. Many of you failed to read between the lines. While she was stealing money and lying to investigators, she was failing to provide the final report of a Ranger who died in the line of duty. This report was needed by the spouse in order to collect death benifits to support her familly. How about the other trip where she stole money. This trip was suppose to be to honor two fallen Rangers. In both cases she lied to the families. This is not honor, this is a disgrace. No matter how many good deeds that are claimed by Pat to have been done in her past, stepping on the graves of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice deserves no favorable treatment.

 77 agree | 75 disagree
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1:52 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 17, 2007 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
She has admitted to stealing public money and lying to investigators. In a highly-favorable plea agreement, she will be allowed to collect full law enforcement retirement. Some "Treatment"!

 51 agree | 42 disagree
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9:53 PM MST on Fri., Dec. 14, 2007 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
Tough times in the Park Service, to be sure. I hope things turn out well for Pat. I worked with her, for a short time, in Yosemite. Noone deserves such treatment after being a dedicated Park Ranger for so long. Good luck,Pat. Our fingers are crossed for you!

 42 agree | 51 disagree
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10:23 PM MST on Tue., Dec. 4, 2007 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
I documented actions taken by a Chief Ranger that I knew was inappropriate. I was pulled into the Superintendents office and he told me that all I was doing was causing problems and if I ever wanted to become a Chief Ranger or even transfer that I had better not follow through with my complaint. I pulled the complaint, and have always regretted it. I just wanted out of this park and I felt the threat was real. Later in the year the Chief Ranger recieved another (his annual) Incentive Award, just made me sick!!!!!!

 67 agree | 39 disagree
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1:49 PM MST on Tue., Dec. 4, 2007 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
If an agency employee does report, say - a felony, the reporter is labled 'a problem'. One has to ask is it really worth the agony of a career long stigma within the 'park service family' to out someone who (1) has the advantage of covering their tracks, (2) will almost certainly get a promotion if they are moved, (3) will never have to account for their crime, and (4) keep their retirement benefits regardless.

 53 agree | 55 disagree
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11:38 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 3, 2007 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
Another story.....Budget person was able to hid almost $500,000 from managers. The action was done by the person to have the "power" over the program. If she didn't like what was happening, she would create ways for the money to disappear. These type of people don't care what they do or how it affects the agency, they just do it and keep doing it. It also tells you that some of the managers do not do their jobs very effectively either. So in reference to P, both employee and manager/supervisor are both responsible in my opinion for the travel infractions. The action that she failed to take regarding the falling officers families is the real point. May this type of action never happen again.

 45 agree | 41 disagree
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11:39 PM MST on Fri., Nov. 30, 2007 re: "Park Service officer charged with stealing from agency"

 Examiner Reader said:
I worked with Pat for a number of years. I found her to be a competent and honest person who took on many difficut tasks for the Park Service. This behavior is an aberation. I am sorry for her troubles.

 83 agree | 81 disagree
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4:04 PM MST on Fri., Nov. 30, 2007 re: "Park Service officer charged with stealing from agency"

 Examiner Reader said:
To the reader who commented on the ability to spell and write, I must suggest that you take an English course yourself and then you would know that you spell English with a capital E. Those who live in glass houses ...

 66 agree | 63 disagree
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2:59 PM MST on Thu., Nov. 29, 2007 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
One thing that emerges as most evident; some of the commenters struggle with an ability to spell and write. Enroll in an english course now; for this has probably set you back over the years, along with your medical exam issues.

 82 agree | 50 disagree
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10:05 AM MST on Thu., Nov. 29, 2007 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
I have read all the comments and I know of others that have done wrong, but the reason P is being treated with such harshness is from the history of her treatment towards NPS Rangers. She might have only stole or lied but when u r treated like a criminal for not passing a medical exam or not meeting up to her expations on the waivers she issued for u just to keep your position as a Ranger, it is a VERY sour pill to take when P is allowed her escape out the back door with her retirement. I know she will not pay for her crimes but she will not even fill the hurt of being told u have lost your retirement u spent 30 years building. She might have to pay the 4k she took in tickets but I wonder where she would have sent me if I did the same - Federal accomidations in Atlanta. She my have only been a small ripple in the smooth NPS waters but like Atlanta - the waters are rulling out. If some good comes out of Pat's crimes maybe the NPS will take a hard look at itself, more Pats out there?

 75 agree | 44 disagree
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10:10 AM MST on Sat., Nov. 24, 2007 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Change begins with me... said:
What she did was inexcusible. Fixing our own problems will change more than we realize. If you have any doubt that what you are doing or about to do will cause problems then stop doing it or don't do it. It isn't rocket surgery folks!

 72 agree | 58 disagree
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8:51 AM MST on Sat., Nov. 24, 2007 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
The park service is not the only agency that I have worked for. Everywhere that I have worked has been screwed up one way or another. There is no perfect job. However, if you don't like the park service, a friend of mine is a roofing contractor and is hiring so anytime your terrible job at the park gets to be too much, I can put you on top of a roof in South Florida with just a phone call.

 66 agree | 77 disagree
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11:55 AM MST on Fri., Nov. 23, 2007 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
We in the NPS can quit feeling unique. The US Forest Service just got a conviction on a Deborah Durfey for embezzlement and tax fraud that makes Pat's deal look like doodley squat. She even taught ETHICS to fellow Forest Service employees. Durfey alleges a gambling problem. Don't get me wrong about that 'doodley squat' comment though, theft is theft no matter the amount. It's a sad state of affairs to see so much of this.

 79 agree | 56 disagree
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9:13 PM MST on Tue., Nov. 20, 2007 re: "Park Service officer charged with stealing from agency"

 Re evaluate said:
As the saying goes, power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely. We would all benefit from a yearly review of ethical conduct for federal employees.

 97 agree | 95 disagree
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9:48 PM MST on Sun., Nov. 18, 2007 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Not quite as disheartened said:
Pat Bucello stated in her Nov 6th letter " I will tell you that some things are being written that are simply not the way it happened". That sounds familiar...I have been the brunt of an investigation when I thought the same thing. It stings a bit doesn't it Pat...

 86 agree | 72 disagree
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8:19 PM MST on Sun., Nov. 18, 2007 re: "NPS official pleads guilty"

 Examiner Reader said:
Don't get me wrong, I'm against this kind of thing (as are we all). What I find funny is the tone of the comments. We Parkies seem to think that this is the most corrupt outfit in the government and that only "we few, brave warriors" stand between our mission and the evil empire of upper management. It is just SOOOOO Pollyanna. I mean really. Look around, the world IS corruption. You do not have to like it, but as adults, we should not be so naive.

 80 agree | 65 disagree
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