Park Police chief fired
Chambers placed on paid leave in December after discussing budget shortfalls with media.
The Interior Department on Friday fired National Park Police Chief Teresa Chambers, according to an advocacy group.
Until the termination takes effect on Saturday morning, Chambers, placed on paid administrative leave last December after she discussed budget and staffing shortfalls with the press, will remain under a gag order, said Chas Offutt, spokesman for Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. The group, involved in Chambers' legal proceedings, is still "digesting" her termination papers, he said.
The Park Service could not be reached for a confirmation, or an explanation of its action.
In the meantime, Chambers' legal team has asked an administrative judge at the Merit Systems Protection Board to order the Park Service to reinstate her.
The Park Service placed Chambers under the gag order and on administrative leave early last December after she talked to the Washington Post. Don Murphy, the agency's deputy director, charged her with improper budget communications, making public remarks regarding security on federal property, improper disclosure of budget deliberations, improper lobbying, failure to carry out a supervisor's instructions, and failure to follow the chain of command.
Chambers challenged the charges, and her case is being reviewed by the Office of Special Counsel.