Former BLM Director is now parroting right-wing attacks against Biden’s nominee, despite his own scandal of trying to sell off public lands for personal gain

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, government watchdog Accountable.US released the following statement in light of comments made by Robert Abbey, former director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), attacking Tracey Stone-Manning, President Biden’s pick to run the agency. At the end of his tenure, Abbey was caught trying to sell off America’s public lands for his own personal profit.

“Bob Abbey lost all credibility when he abused his position by trying to sell our public lands for personal profit. Now, he’s parroting right-wing attacks against President Biden’s qualified nominee who would prioritize protecting our public lands for future generations. Abbey doesn’t have a leg to stand on and shouldn’t be taken seriously,” said Kyle Herrig, president of Accountable.US.

According to a report by the inspector general of the Department of the Interior, Bob Abbey was “personally and substantially” involved in the sale of federal lands in Nevada that would have earned his future consulting firm $528,000. Although the sale did not go through, Abbey used his high-ranking position to urge Interior attorneys to sign off on the sale proposal, and his involvement made “BLM employees uncomfortable,” according to the IG report. 

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