News: 2023
VA Nurse Who Ran for Governor of Illinois Removed from her Position, Debarred from Federal Service for Two Years for Hatch Act Violations
OSC today announced an initial decision issued by MSPB imposing significant disciplinary action against a VA nurse who ran for Governor of Illinois in violation of the Hatch Act. The...
OSC Issues Hatch Act Advisory Opinion to Address Federal Employees’ Discussions About the Conflict Between Israel and Hamas
OSC today issued an advisory opinion to inform federal employees of when and how the Hatch Act might apply to expressing views about the current conflict between Israel and Hamas....
VA Employee Agrees to 15-Day Suspension Without Pay for Violating the Hatch Act
OSC today announced a settlement agreement reached with a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employee charged with violating the Hatch Act. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) today announced...
Special Counsel Henry J. Kerner Farewell
This week marks Special Counsel Henry J. Kerner’s last week at OSC. This week marks Special Counsel Henry J. Kerner’s last week at OSC. “It has been an honor and...
OSC Wins Legal Victory for 9/11 Veteran Wrongfully Denied Reemployment by USPS
OSC today announced a legal victory in its longstanding effort to obtain relief for a veteran wrongfully denied reinstatement in his Postal Service job following his post-9/11 military duty. The...
Two Federal Employees Agree to Suspensions Without Pay for Violating the Hatch Act
OSC today announced two settlement agreements reached with federal employees charged with violating the Hatch Act. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) today announced two settlement agreements reached with...
OSC Report Finds Flagrant, Willful Hatch Act Violations by Mass. U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins
OSC today sent a report to the President detailing how Rachael Rollins, U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, willfully violated the Hatch Act on multiple occasions. After informing Ms....
OSC Formally Ends its COVID-19 Taskforce
OSC today announced that after three years, it has formally ended its COVID-19 Taskforce. The decision comes as the Biden administration officially rescinded the COVID-19 health emergency declaration. The U.S....
OSC Statement on Public Service Recognition Week
This week is Public Service Recognition Week, a time each year when we reflect on the contributions of public servants across the government who provide invaluable services to the American...
ATF Unlawfully Paid Agents Millions of Dollars in Wrongful Benefits
OSC today alerted the President to substantial waste, mismanagement, and unlawful employment practices at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. For years, the agency intentionally misclassified jobs as...
OSC Issues Report to the President Finding HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra Violated the Hatch Act
OSC sent a report to the President finding HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra violated the Hatch Act by expressing support for Senator Alex Padilla’s reelection while speaking in his official capacity....
OSC Launches New Series of Educational Videos
OSC unveiled a new series of videos aimed at educating federal agencies on prohibited personnel practices, USERRA, the Hatch Act, whistleblower disclosures, and alternative dispute resolution. The U.S. Office of...
NOAA Employee who Violated the Hatch Act by Running for Partisan Office Numerous Times Removed from Federal Employment
OSC today announced a decision by MSPB affirming OSC’s requested penalty for removal of a federal employee who violated the Hatch Act by running as a candidatefor partisan political office....
Whistleblower Reveals Widespread Fraud at Niagara, NY Air Force Fire Department
OSC has alerted the President that leadership at a Niagara Falls, NY Air Reserve Station Fire Department submitted falsified records for safety training that employees never received. Leadership submitted hundreds...