Critic Says Move Amounts To Public's "Worst Fear" Of Gov't

At least she isn't working for an airline. Still, several government watchdog groups and politicians are taking Marion Blakey to task, as she leaves the top post at the FAA Thursday to take a job as president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association.

USA Today reports many have questioned the ethical implications of Blakey's move from FAA Administrator, to accepting the top post at a lobbying organization impacted by her decisions while at the FAA.

"It raises some pretty serious ethics questions," said Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. Scott Amey, general counsel for the Project on Government Oversight, said Blakey's move fits the public's "worst fear" of government.

Blakey defends her decision, saying she has had no direct involvement in any regulatory actions which affect AIA... adding she was "taken aback and a little appalled, frankly" at such criticism.

Her decision has also come under fire from California Representative Henry Waxman, who has proposed stiffer regulations for officials leaving the government and then taking jobs in the private sector.

"Under the Bush administration, the revolving door has spun out of control," said the outspoken Democrat critic of the current administration.

As ANN reported, Blakey accepted the job with AIA last month. She is due to take over as CEO on November 12, one month after leaving the FAA.

Outgoing AIA President and CEO John Douglass defended his successor.

"This idea that when someone leaves the government and goes to work in our American industrial base there's something wrong with that, I totally reject that," Douglass said.

One thing is clear... Blakey will receive a sizable pay increase in her new job. Federal executives at her level receive an annual salary of $168,000, according to the US government's "Plum Book."

No one is saying just how much Blakey will receive with AIA... but federal tax forms show Douglass made over $531,000 in 2005.

FMI: www.aia-aerospace.org