News: 2022
Unclear Standards for Scientific Review and Stifling of Scientific Dissent Resulted in Flawed FDA Process for Evaluating Potential Harm of Tobacco Products
OSC today alerted the President and Congress that FDA's Center for Tobacco Products had relaxed its standards of review for certain tobacco products and stifled concerns raised by its scientists....
West Haven VA Leadership Failed to Adopt Safety Recommendations Following Tragic 2020 Steam Explosion
OSC) today alerted the President and Congress that the VA has yet to remedy serious occupational safety hazards at its West Haven, Connecticut hospital following a fatal accident two years...
FAA Rushed Oversight of Accidents Caused by Pilot Error, Failed to Inspect Foreign-Purchased Aircraft for Southwest Airlines
OSC has alerted the President and Congress that an investigation by FAA revealed inadequate safety reports on major incidents caused by pilot error at Southwest Airlines. The U.S. Office of...
USPS Employee Suspended for Wearing Campaign Hat While Delivering Mail in Violation of the Hatch Act
OSC today announced a settlement agreement reached with a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employee in Alaska who violated the Hatch Act by wearing a political campaign hat while delivering mail....
OSC Files Complaint Against USCIS for Retaliation for Reporting an Official’s Misconduct
OSC filed a complaint with MSPB against USCIS alleging the agency fired an analyst for reporting an official who divulged employees’ confidential grievance information. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel...
OSC Negotiates Reinstatement of VA Physician Whistleblower with Significant Financial Compensation
OSC today announced a favorable settlement reached between the VA and Dr. Robert Cameron, Chief of Thoracic Surgery for the VA’s West LA medical center. The U.S. Office of Special...
OSC Announces Discipline for Federal Employees who Violated the Hatch Act
OSC today announced settlement agreements reached with three federal employees who violated the Hatch Act. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) today announced settlement agreements reached with three federal...
Arkansas VA Hospital to Address Dialysis Water Safety After Whistleblower Warned of Inadequate Testing, Litter in the Clinical Area
OSC has alerted the President and Congress that the VA is taking steps to ensure water used in dialysis treatment is adequately tested for chlorine levels after a whistleblower spoke...
OSC Statement Regarding the MSPB Decision in Special Counsel v. Cowan
OSC has received numerous questions about this case and its implications for the Hatch Act. OSC is therefore issuing this statement to clarify its view of the parameters. On March...
OSC Files Complaint Alleging the Army Retaliated Against a Whistleblower who Disclosed Laboratory Safety Concerns
OSC today filed a complaint with the MSPB against the Army seeking corrective action for whistleblower retaliated against for disclosing laboratory safety issues. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC)...
OSC Obtains Full Relief for Navy Veteran Denied Reinstatement
OSC today announced a favorable settlement on behalf of a Navy Veteran wrongfully denied reinstatement as an Air Traffic Controller with the FAA. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC)...