David Smith, a top Interior Department official shoots Buffalo - resigns

[donsu]

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/060716/24buffalo.htm


A Buffalo Not Roaming
A top government official, an old bull, and a fateful gunshot

David Smith, a top Interior Department official, is an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He's no Buffalo Bill, but he's a good shot and can even count a buffalo among his many trophies. Why, way back in December 2004, Smith put three shots from a high-powered rifle right between the eyes of an aging buffalo at a billionaire friend's ranch in Texas. Dances With Wolves, it was not. The ranch manager drove him to the meadow where the bison was grazing, and Smith delivered the coup de grace from about 75 yards away.

The kill has caused Smith no end of trouble. Interior investigators looked into it and questioned whether Smith had received the old bull's remains as a "gratuity." They also examined his role in designating Houston as a port of entry for wildlife and wild game trophies, an action sought by hunters and others, including a friend of Smith's who is his taxidermist.

Icon. When the dust settled, Smith got both good and bad news. Federal prosecutors declined the case. But Interior investigators found that he created "an appearance of preferential treatment" in signing off on the Houston port because the action benefited his friends, including the taxidermist. As to the buffalo, the investigators said, Smith violated gift regulations and paid for its remains only after they began their inquiry.
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and the taxidermist is:

Investigators determined that Interior followed "appropriate administrative procedures" in designating the port. But they sharply criticized Smith's role in the decision. Their report cited his ties to a taxidermist identified by Smith and others as Mike Simpson, who owns a big taxidermy outfit in Conroe, Texas, and does some of Smith's work on animal kills.


america is a crime scene

Smith is not a hunter, he is a killer

and a bribe taker

[unblock]

1. i think the buffalo should apologize

:sarcasm:

[TomInTib]

2. I know Simpson

Taxidermist or whatever, the guy is an absolute artist.

His brother has a diner in Spring, Texas and serves buffalo burgers and steaks made with meat from Duncan's ranch. Simpson's work (stuff people didn't pay for)is all over that diner.

Small world.

on edit: I thought the rationale of killing the buffalo was just too precious. Tearing up equipment. If there are buffalo around, you can bet your sweet ass that stuff is gonna get torn up.

[CottonBear]

3. Well, that was sporting.

Not. :(

Bush administration member = corrupt official.

[tabasco]

4. Jesus, they call this hunting.

These freaks shoot a tame animal with a scope at 75 yards and think they are hunters.

The buffalo wasn't even scared away by the vehicle. Probably thought it was going to get some hay.

Sick fucks like Cheney and these canned hunts make me vomit.

I hate these people with every fiber of my soul. :mad: