The American Bar Association (ABA) is holding a brown bag lunch panel with staff members from the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) on Thursday, November 3rd, from 12:00 pm-1:30 pm EST. The panel discussion will cover recent developments in Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and Federal Circuit case law that impact whistleblowers. The panel will
Office of Special Counsel
MSPB Approves Stay for FDA Whistleblower
The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) recently allowed a stay in the termination of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) whistleblower, Paul T. Hardy. The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) requested the stay on his behalf due to reasonable belief that Mr. Hardy’s recent termination from the FDA constituted a violation of the Whistleblowers Protection Act (WPA).
According to the OSC, there is substantial evidence that Mr. Hardy’s termination was a direct retaliation for disclosures he made about serious safety issues with a screening device designed to detect breast cancer. The OSC explained that Mr. Hardy’s whistleblowing “raised issues related to exposing the general population to unwarranted radiation exposure and ineffective cancer screening devices.”Continue Reading MSPB Approves Stay for FDA Whistleblower
Senate confirms Carolyn Lerner
Last Thursday, April 14, 2011, the Senate confirmed Carolyn Lerner as Special Counsel. This post, which investigates and takes positions on federal employee whistleblower allegations, has been vacant for over two years. I reported here last month about her confirmation hearing.
Ms. Lerner has a difficult job ahead of her. Her staff is underfunded, and…
Former Special Counsel Sentenced to One Month in Prison
Scott Bloch, the former head of the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), was sentenced to one month in prison, twelve months probation and 200 hours of community service yesterday, after he pled guilty to criminal charges for his misconduct during is tenure at OSC.
Continue Reading Former Special Counsel Sentenced to One Month in Prison
Carolyn Lerner confirmation hearing is available
The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is the federal government’s attorney charged with protecting federal employee whistleblowers. It took President Obama a long time to finally pick a nominee for this position. Today, the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee (HSGAC) held a hearing on that nominee, Carolyn Lerner. One thing that Sen. Daniel…
Former Special Counsel Sentencing Postponed Again
Today, Magistrate Judge Deborah Robinson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia postponed Scott Bloch’s sentencing once again until Thursday, March 10, 2011. Prosecutors urged the judge to reconsider her ruling last week that the charge of lying to Congress carries a one-month minimum jail sentence.
Continue Reading Former Special Counsel Sentencing Postponed Again
OSC report due for immigration official protected by MSPB stay
Maria Aran is the chief of staff for the Miami district of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a part of the Department of Homeland Security. When she discovered that a sub-office had mishandled hundreds of sensitive documents, she made a report for the agency’s security office. When she sent that report, she inadvertently…
Sentencing delayed again for former head of OSC
Former Special Counsel Scott Bloch pled guilty earlier this year to one count of criminal contempt of Congress. He was due to be sentenced on Wednesday, but it was delayed so that the magistrate judge can decide whether there is a minimum one-month mandatory jail term.
Continue Reading Sentencing delayed again for former head of OSC
Whistleblower “Watchdog” Blurs It’s Record
There is bipartisan consensus that the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is dysfunctional, and instead of suggesting reforms, the OSC responded to this criticism by obfuscating its record.
Continue Reading Whistleblower “Watchdog” Blurs It’s Record
Message to President Obama: Protect the Public! Nominate a New OSC!
While Bloch’s tenure from 2004 to 2008 may represent a new low for the OSC, Nolan is intent on transforming the entire operation of the Office of Special Counsel.
Continue Reading Message to President Obama: Protect the Public! Nominate a New OSC!