Statement of NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley Calling For Review of the Actions of the U. S. Special Counsel

Press Release February 1, 2005

The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) strongly believes the actions of U.S. Special Counsel Scott Bloch warrant an investigation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) into possible violations of civil service laws and possible misuse of federal funds. Six senior members of the House of Representatives have requested that GAO conduct such an investigation involving the forced transfer by the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) of 12 Washington-based career employees who otherwise face the loss of their jobs; the opening of a field office in a city where OSC has no significant case load; and two contract matters, including the use of no-bid management consulting contracts, one of which involves a former boarding school headmaster. Further, NTEU remains very concerned, as it expressed earlier this month, that OSC will, for the first time, have the OSC unit responsible for enforcement of the Hatch Act reporting to a political appointee rather than a career senior executive. This step takes on particular importance in light of formal complaints filed in recent days against two federal employees by OSC alleging violation of the Hatch Act during the 2004 presidential election. These serious matters demand an immediate and independent review to determine whether OSC is meeting its responsibilities in protecting the rights of federal employees.

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