Papers: Fed Boat Bought With Fines Used For Fun

Published February 17, 2012 8:54PM (EST)

BOSTON (AP) — New documents indicate a luxury undercover boat purchased with fines collected from fishermen was used by federal fishery police to visit restaurants and for high-speed "pleasure cruising."

The documents were released Friday after a Freedom of Information Act request by U.S. Sen. Scott Brown's office.

They're part of the Inspector General of the U.S. Commerce Department's audit on how the millions in fines paid by fishermen were used. The audit uncovered broad mismanagement.

The documents the Massachusetts Republican requested focus on how the $300,000 boat was used.

The investigation showed one agent took his wife and friends on boat trips to visit dockside restaurants in Washington's Puget Sound and also used the boat for pleasure cruises.


By Salon Staff

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