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At Faneuil Hall Meeting, Sen. Brown Slams NOAA Spending Of Fishermen Fines

BOSTON (CBS) - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration came under fire today at U-S Senate subcommittee hearing at Faneuil Hall over their spending of fines levied against New England fishermen.

At issue is the Asset Forfeiture Fund, money collected by NOAA from fines paid by fishermen.

Senator Scott Brown criticized NOAA official Eric Schwaab for the agency using that money lavishly to buy cars and boats.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Doug Cope reports

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"Do you think that the purchases… in your opinion, is a proper use of taxpayer funds?" Brown asked.

Schwaab told the committee that in the past, the purchases were deemed acceptable, but also noted that changes are now in place to prevent that spending.

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