The Southeast Regional Director of the National Park Service has resigned amid an ongoing investigation into a controversial building project on Cumberland Island.
Patricia Hooks was the Park Service official who ordered the investigation into how a retired doctor was allowed to build a two-bedroom apartment on Cumberland Island without park service approval. The project involves inmate labor, park service equipment and questions of violations of law, policy and lease agreements.
Now, Hooks is contemplating whether to continue in government after 19 years in federal service.
Hooks told GPB, she resigned because the situation in her office became strained; and that she could be flexible, but not compromise her integrity, professionalism or the law. When asked if she was ordered to compromise the law, she declined to be specific.
Agency spokesmen would not answer questions about the matter, but said an investigation was ongoing. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into Camden County Sheriff Bill Smith’s role in providing inmate labor for the project.
Patricia Hooks was the Park Service official who ordered the investigation into how a retired doctor was allowed to build a two-bedroom apartment on Cumberland Island without park service approval. The project involves inmate labor, park service equipment and questions of violations of law, policy and lease agreements.
Now, Hooks is contemplating whether to continue in government after 19 years in federal service.
Hooks told GPB, she resigned because the situation in her office became strained; and that she could be flexible, but not compromise her integrity, professionalism or the law. When asked if she was ordered to compromise the law, she declined to be specific.
Agency spokesmen would not answer questions about the matter, but said an investigation was ongoing. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into Camden County Sheriff Bill Smith’s role in providing inmate labor for the project.
