Hazel R. O'Leary

Hazel Rollins O'Leary (born May 17, 1937) was the seventh United States Secretary of Energy from 1993 to 1997.

Travel scandal

During her term as Secretary of Energy, she was often accused of travelling too frequently and spending lavishly on her accommodations. She apologized to Congressional committees in 1996 for spending which exceeded limits on the funds appropriated for travel and resigned in January 1997. Some also made the accusation that these trips, which according to a GAO report sometimes paid expenses for businessmen, were used to pay back Democratic Party contributers.

Related Topics:
GAO - Democratic Party

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It was lated revealed that Chinagate scandal figure John Chung claimed that O'Leary met with Chinese oil officials after Chung had donated $25,000 to O'Leary's favorite charity Africare. Janet Reno refused to authorize an investigation of this charge, however. It was later revealed that FBI director Louis Freeh had advised Reno that the circumstances surrounding the donations were "extraordinarily suspicious".

Related Topics:
Chinagate - John Chung - Africare - Janet Reno - FBI - Louis Freeh

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