News: 2021
OSC Assists USDA Employee Unlawfully Disciplined for Submitting an Article on Animal Welfare in U.S. Research Facilities
At OSC's request, the USDA reinstated and made whole Dr. Wendy Koch, an animal care officer, whose First Amendment rights were violated after submitting an article for publication. The U.S....
OSC Issues Hatch Act Report Documenting Violations by 13 Senior Trump Administration Officials, Including at the 2020 Republican National Convention
OSC issued a report outlining the investigative findings of its Hatch Act Unit in response to complaints regarding senior Trump administration officials’ political activities. Today, the U.S. Office of Special...
Missouri GSA Officials Failed to Mitigate Exposure to Toxic Contaminants That Put Employees and Children at Risk
OSC has alerted the President and Congress that GSA placed employees and children at risk by failing to address widespread toxic contamination at a facility in St. Louis, Missouri. The...
2021 Special Counsel Public Service Award Recognizes Whistleblower Who Disclosed $92 Million in Debts Owed to the Federal Government
OSC today announced the recipient of the 2021 Special Counsel Public Service Award. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) today announced the recipient of the 2021 Special Counsel Public...
SSA to Allow Widowed Spouses to Refile Survivor Benefits Claims, Seek Millions in Reimbursement, after Failing to Inform Them of Options
OSC alerted the President and Congress that the SSA will review and reimburse, where appropriate, over 20K widow(er) beneficiaries, after SSA failed to adequately inform them of options. The U.S....
OSC Announces Settlement Agreement Between HHS and Former BARDA Director Dr. Rick Bright After his Reassignment
OSC today announced a settlement agreement reached between HHS and Dr. Rick Bright, the former Director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel...
DEA Investigation Fails to Hold Officials Accountable for Lax Security at Haitian Seaport, Illegal Drug Flow
OSC today notified the President and Congress that DEA officials in the Port-au-Prince, Haiti Country Office failed to secure a key Haitian seaport used by drug smugglers. The U.S. Office...
Fly Infestation, Sewage Leaks at Los Angeles VA Hospital Shuttered Operating Rooms, Delayed Patient Surgeries
OSC alerted the President and Congress that officials at a VA medical center have taken appropriate steps to mitigate unsanitary conditions in operating rooms that canceled surgeries. The U.S. Office...
HHS to Implement New Protocols in Response to Whistleblower Allegations of Improper Spending
OSC alerted the President that whistleblower allegations of unauthorized spending practices by HHS prompted a number of corrective actions to ensure proper stewardship of federal funds. The U.S. Office of...
OSC Named One of the Best Places to Work in 2020 Survey of Federal Agencies
OSC today was recognized as the second highest-ranked “Best Places to Work” out of 29 small federal agencies, and the top small federal executive agency, according to a comprehensive analysis....
OSC Statement on Public Service Recognition Week
“We at OSC honor the outstanding public servants whose work is making life better for all Americans,” said Special Counsel Henry J. Kerner. Each year, the President and Congress designate...
Former High-Ranking HUD Official Disciplined for Hatch Act Violation
OSC today announced a settlement agreement reached with a former Trump administration HUD political appointee for violating the Hatch Act The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) today announced a...
Physician Shortage of over 50% at Alabama VA Hospital Delayed Veterans’ Access to Specialized Care
OSC) today alerted the President and Congress that a significant shortage of physicians at a VA hospital in Montgomery, Alabama impeded veterans’ access to specialized medical care. The U.S. Office...
Whistleblowers Disclose Misconduct by Anesthesiologist at Vermont VA Hospital
OSC today alerted the President that a VA doctor in Vermont engaged in serious professional misconduct, including an aggressive intervention during a surgical procedure that caused serious injury. The U.S....
OSC Announces Discipline for Federal Employees who Violated the Hatch Act
OSC today announced settlement agreements reached with several federal employees who admitted to violating the Hatch Act. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) today announced settlement agreements reached with...
OSC Files Amicus Curiae Brief Advocating Removal of Improper Barriers to Prove Whistleblower Retaliation
OSC has filed an amicus curiae brief with MSPB arguing for the removal of improper evidentiary barriers for federal employees who bring whistleblower retaliation claims. The U.S. Office of Special...
VA Physicians Harvested Liver Tissue from Sick Patients for Research Without Informed Consent
OSC has alerted the President and Congress that physicians at the VA San Diego Healthcare System collected liver tissue from seriously ill veterans without their prior informed consent. The U.S....
HHS Misused Millions of Dollars Intended for Vaccine Research, Emergency Preparedness
OSC today sent letters to the President and Congress alerting them that HHS misappropriated millions of dollars Congress intended for vaccine research and public health emergency preparedness. The U.S. Office...