News: 2015
Little Rock VA Whistleblower Discloses Wait Time Manipulation
Supervisors improperly directed scheduling staff at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS) in North Little Rock, AR to “zero out” patient wait times, in violation of policy Beginning as...
Whistleblower Disclosures of Security Vulnerabilities at the Navy Yard are Confirmed
OSC informed the White House and Congress yesterday that the Navy substantiated numerous whistleblower disclosures at the Washington Navy Yard The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) informed the White...
Whistleblower Identified Long-Standing Contracting Violations at an Agency
OSC reported violations of contracting rules and regulations at the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad (Commission) in a letter sent In a letter sent to the...
OSC Updates Hatch Act Guidance for Social Media
In advance of the upcoming presidential election year, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) has revised its guidance regarding the Hatch Act and federal employee use of social media...
OSC Continues to Enforce USERRA in the Federal Sector
Since 1994, OSC has enforced the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) through successfully resolving several cases In fiscal year 2015, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC)...
OSC Facilitates Settlement of a VA Whistleblower Reprisal Claim
OSC has facilitated the settlement of a whistleblower retaliation claim brought against the VA by David Tharp, a psychologist witwith the VA’s post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) program in Waco, TX...
OSC Investigation Leads to Settlement in Army Hospital Whistleblower Case
After an OSC investigation, the Army recently settled a whistleblower retaliation claim filed by Teresa Gilbert, an Army civilian infection control analyst After a U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC)...
VA Needs to Improve Internal Accountability in Whistleblower Cases
In a letter to the White House and Congress, OSC reported that the VA failed to adequately discipline employees for endangering the health and safety of veterans and other wrongdoing....
FAA Confirms Whistleblower Disclosures of Flight Safety Risk
OSC sent findings to the White House and Congress regarding a safety risk in the nation’s air traffic control system. Today, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) sent findings...
OSC Finds VA Retaliated Against Employee for Contacting Congress
OSC found that the VA fired an employee because he contacted Congress requesting assistance in finding his lost VA benefits claims folder. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) found...
Whistleblower Disclosures to OSC Lead to VA Reforms, 40 Disciplinary Actions against Responsible Officials
OSC) reported to the White House and Congress that the Cheyenne Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) violated Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) policies by improperly scheduling patient appointmen The U.S....
OSC Secures Relief for Additional VA Whistleblowers
OSC has recently facilitated settlements for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) whistleblowers alleging problems with patient care and other health concerns. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) has recently...
Recent OSC Efforts to Stop LGBT Discrimination in the Federal Workplace
As the federal government recognizes June as LGBT Pride Month, over the last year, OSC has obtained relief for federal employees alleging sexual orientation or gender identity discrimination. As the...
MSPB Orders Removal of Employee for Hatch Act Violations
In response to an OSC complaint, an administrative law judge with the MSPB ordered the removal of an Army Corps of Engineers employee from federal service for violating the Hatch...
Agencies Release Guide on LGBT Discrimination Protections for Federal Workers
Four Federal Government agencies today released a guide on the rights and processes available to applicants and employees who allege sexual orientation or gender identity discrimination. Today, four Federal Government...
OSC Facilitates Settlement for Federal LGBT Employee in Discrimination Case
OSC facilitated a settlement agreement by a VA psychiatrist with a sexual orientation discrimination complaint against managers at the facility where she previously worked. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel...
OSC Obtains Relief for TSA Whistleblowers Who Disclosed Security Risks
OSC blocked proposed personnel actions involving two Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport who reported security risks. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) blocked...
VA Hospital Improperly Substituted Mental Health Drugs to Save Money
OSC informed the White House hat a VA Medical Center in West Virginia put patients at medical risk by substituting prescribed medications with older drugs in order to cut costs....
OSC Helps Protect More VA Whistleblowers
OSC recently obtained several favorable resolutions in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) whistleblower retaliation cases. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) recently obtained several favorable resolutions in Department of...
OSC Secures Relief for Bonneville Power Administration Whistleblowers
OSC obtained settlements for several whistleblowers at the Energy Department’s Bonneville Power Administration. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) obtained settlements for several whistleblowers at the Energy Department’s Bonneville...
New Associate Special Counsel Joins OSC Leadership
OSC welcomes Anne M. Wagner, a new Associate Special Counsel. Ms. Wagner is a career member of the Senior Executive Service and will have a diverse portfolio at OSC. The...
OSC Helps Federal Bureau of Prisons Whistleblowers
OSC secured relief for two Bureau of Prisons (BOP) employees after their managers assigned them to inappropriate office spaces shortly after they made whistleblower disclosures. The U.S. Office of Special...
Whistleblower Disclosures Lead to Border Patrol Reforms and $100 Million in Savings
OSC sent findings to the President and Congress on recent positive efforts to address widespread misuse of millions of taxpayer dollars within the Department of Homeland Security. Yesterday, the U.S....
OSC: Supreme Court Decision in DHS v. MacLean Upholds Whistleblower Protections
The U.S. Supreme Court released its decision in DHS v. Robert MacLean, voting 7-2 to uphold a prior ruling by the Federal Circuit in favor of Mr. MacLean. This morning,...
OSC Obtains Relief for More VA Whistleblowers
OSC is continuing to investigate and obtain relief for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) whistleblowers with retaliation complaints. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is continuing to investigate and...
OSC Files Disciplinary Complaint Against USDA Senior Official for Hatch Act Violations
OSC filed a Hatch Act complaint for disciplinary action against a senior official with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Yesterday, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) filed a Hatch...