EPA Air Chief Joe Goffman Accused of Ethics Violations Over Financial Conflicts in Regulatory Matters

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has accused its air chief, Joe Goffman, of violating federal ethics requirements by participating in regulatory matters involving companies he had a financial stake in. The agency’s inspector general concluded that Goffman failed to adequately assess if specific parties or industries involved posed a potential financial conflict-of-interest. He was initially involved in the development of stricter regulations for medical device sterilization facilities that use the carcinogenic compound ethylene oxide, despite investments at the time in three companies covered by the rules. The findings were released in redacted form by Inspector General Sean O’Donnell’s office, which also highlighted broader management breakdowns within EPA. Despite Goffman’s financial interest in the paint manufacturer Sherwin-Williams, he was not deemed significant enough to constitute a failure to meet his ethical obligations.