Environmental Law

Meet The Regulators ? Fred Burnside

By Walter James

Fred Burnside is retiring at the end of this month.  He is currently the director of the agency's Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics and Training.  I first met Fred back in October 1988.  He was a somewhat junior case agent back then and had been sent to the federal courtroom to secure the table closest to the jury box for the prosecutors in an environmental crimes case.  Fred, you have come a long way, my friend!!!

Fred sat for an interview with Inside EPA on December 7, 2010.  You can read the entire interview at http://insideepa.com/Inside-EPA/Inside-EPA-12/10/2010/drop-in-epa-criminal-enforcement-cases-linked-to-new-tiering-system/menu-id-67.html.

Some of the highlights of the article are Fred?s insight into the recent drop in new criminal enforcement cases, who will succeed him, the newly implemented ?tiering? system, and Cynthia Giles? memorandum outlining leadership changes in the criminal division. 

The interview is a great insight into the inner workings of the criminal division and is a worthy read.  Also, Fred is speaking at the ABA?s Annual Environmental Seminar in Salt Lake City in 2011.  I am sure he will provide additional candid insight into his soon-to-be former employer. 

From my discussions with Fred, he is planning on setting up a consulting firm, focusing on environmental criminal issues.  I am sure that we will keep him busy.

Good luck Fred!!!

More later.

As always, feel free to contact me via e-mail at walter.james@jamespllc.com.

WDJiii

Full post as published by Environmental Crimes Blog on December 10, 2010 (boomark / email).