The Environmental Protection Agency’s Al Armendariz has resigned after incriminating two-year old footage was leaked last week. Armendariz – whom the AP described as the “Obama administration’s top environmental official in the oil-rich South Central region” – delivered his formal resignation letter to EPA head Lisa Jackson.
In the letter, Armendariz said the following:
“As I have expressed publicly, and to you directly, I regret comments I made several years ago that do not in any way reflect my work as regional administrator. As importantly, they do not represent the work you have overseen as EPA administrator,” he wrote. “I take great pride in having built a career based on integrity and hard work. These are the principles that guide me personally as well. While I feel there is much work that remains to be done for the people of this country in the region that I serve, after a great deal of thought and careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that my continued service will distract you and the agency from its important work.”
Here is what got Armendariz in hot water originally:
