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Yosemite: Superintendent Robert Binnewies fired over electronic surveillance
CLIPS FROM FRESNO BEE
Memo: Setting it straight
Robert Binnewies, superintendent of Yosemite National Park, was accused by a park ranger last year of illegally recording a conversation between himself and Charles Cushman, a critic of parks policies. The recorded conversation occurred in Binnewies' office at the park. The Bee incorrectly reported April 27 that Binnewies was accused of bugging telephone discussions with Cushman. The Bee also said an investigation by the Interior Department found that investigators for another branch of government, the General Accounting Office, had been told about the surreptitious recording but failed to act on it. In fact, the Interior report did not mention the General Accounting Office's treatment of the incident. KE: PARK POLICY
Fresno Bee, The (CA) Published May 4, 1986 Section: TELEGRAPH Page A8
BINNEWIES PROBE RESULTS NOT RELEASED
Investigators for the U.S. Interior Department have not released their review of allegations that Robert O. Binnewies, former superintendent of Yosemite National Park, ordered a conversation in his office secretly recorded. An article published in The Fresno Bee on April 27 gave the impression that a report by the investigators supported allegations that Binnewies directed park rangers to secretly tape a conversation he had with Charles Cushman, a critic of park policies. In fact, the report issued by Interior investigators dealt with other matters and did not mention the recording incident. The results of an investigation into that incident have not been made public. The article also said the Interior report noted that investigators for another branch of government, the General Accounting Office, had been told of the secret recording but failed to act on it. Actually, the Interior report did not mention the GAO investigation.
The April 27 article also incorrectly said that the conversation Binnewies
recorded was in a phone call with Cushman. The conversation actually occurred in
Binnewies' office. The Bee regrets the errors.
The investigations began after park ranger Paul Berkowitz alleged that Yosemite
officials acted improperly in the conduct of an undercover drug investigation.
Berkowitz also leveled an unrelated accusation that Binnewies ordered the secret
recording.
General Accounting Office investigators found no basis for the allegations. Interior Department investigators issued a report criticizing some aspects of the drug investigation but have yet to issue a report on the recording incident.
Fresno Bee, The (CA) Published May 7, 1986 Section: TELEGRAPH Page A1
OTHER
Robert O. Binnewies, was Yosemite Supt. 7/22/1979 - 2/01/1986
(NOTE: In 1986, the same day as the Challenger Shuttle exploded, the Fresno Bee ran an article stating that Robert Binnewies was accused of bugging a meeting in 1986 and relieved of his duties . . . . It had little coverage thereafter.)
Robert O. Binnewies was Executive Director of the Palisade Interstate Park Commission throughout the 1990s. During a conservation career that spanned nearly 40 years, he also served as Superintendent of Yosemite National Park, Vice President of the National Audubon Society, and Executive Director of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust.
Palisades
by Binnewies, Robert O.
ISBN: 082322127X
Published By: Purdue University P.
Publication Date: October 2001
Cloth / Hardback, 288pages
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