U.S. Office of Special Counsel

OSC today publicly released findings that management at a VA Police Dept in Eastern Kansas failed to restrict access to agency firearms following the issuance of a protective order. It resulted in tragedy. osc.gov/News/Pages/2...

OSC today filed a Hatch Act complaint seeking discipline against a former FEMA employee who in October 2024 instructed subordinates to avoid visiting homes with Donald Trump campaign signs in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. osc.gov/News/Pages/2...

OSC Ratchets Up Attention to Delayed Agency Responses to Whistleblower Disclosures The Office of Special Counsel has acted to further increase attention to delayed responses by agencies to whistleblower disclosures, by starting to

These changes are intended to enhance government accountability and provide more public visibility when agencies’ review of potential misconduct takes longer than Congressional expectations.
www.fedweek.com/federal-mana...

Dellinger Thanks Cathy Harris for Service, Accomplishments as MSPB Chair, Congratulates Henry Kerner on Appointment An official website of the United States government

Special Counsel Dellinger thanks Cathy Harris for her service & accomplishments as MSPB Chair, congratulates Henry Kerner on appointment. osc.gov/News/Pages/2...

Watchdog rebukes VA over failure to refund $110M in medical fees The Office of Special Counsel said VA owes about $110 million to nearly 1 million veterans for voided medical co-pays.

“Saying you should develop a plan is not a plan,” Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger said. “I am very concerned with the lack of specificity in the VA’s findings and the absence of any real actions to timely reimburse veterans for money they’re owed.” www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...

Special Counsel provides an update on implementation of OSC’s transparency and accountability proposal. Read more: osc.gov/News/Pages/2...

VA acknowledges long delays in processing millions of dollars in refunds owed to veterans but fails to provide a plan to fix.
“Saying you should develop a plan is not a plan," said Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger who is demanding more answers. osc.gov/News/Pages/2...

Office of Special Counsel has ‘growing staffing concerns’ amid record caseload The Office of the Special Counsel received a record 6,251 new cases in 2024. That includes 1,757 new disclosures from federal whistleblowers.

"This caseload increase, while a positive for federal employees’ awareness of OSC, threatens to increase the number of active cases that OSC carries over to the following fiscal year,” Special Counsel Dellinger writes in a report to Congress. federalnewsnetwork.com/federal-repo...

This Social Security Administration whistleblower is nothing if not persistent "In the most recent case, spouses, wives or widows who worked in jobs where they did not pay into Social Security," said John McAdams.

📻Tune-in: SSA whistleblower John McAdams joined @FederalDrive to discuss his years of public service & helping retirees who missed out on substantial benefits because of bad advice from SSA claims examiners. federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/20...

OSC’s 2024 accomplishments include record breaking results and first ever actions. Read our year-end review here: osc.gov/News/Pages/2...

Two senior executives receive unpaid suspensions for unlawful hiring practices While one of the executives currently works for a different agency with a new position, they will still be disciplined, OSC officials said.

www.govexec.com/oversight/20...

OSC announces discipline of 2 senior gov't employees involved in unlawful hiring practices. Outcome shows that gov't officials cannot avoid consequences by transferring to a different agency. osc.gov/News/Pages/2...

MSPB has granted OSC’s stay request for a VA whistleblower removed from her job after disclosing several alleged violations at the outpatient clinic where she was assigned. osc.gov/News/Pages/2...

Claimants seeking spousal benefits have filed disadvantageous claims, even though SSA claims examiners are required to provide info to help filers maximize their benefits. Special Counsel Dellinger urges SSA to allow claimants to refile for full relief. osc.gov/News/Pages/2...

Oral argument today in SCOTUS case Feliciano v. Department of Transportation. Special Counsel Dellinger's @militarytimes.bsky.social op-ed was cited in the federal employee petitioner's reply brief: supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23...

Reservist's Pay Case Puts Spotlight on Financial Cost of Service A US Supreme Court fight over supplemental pay for federal workers who also serve in the military reserves could affect the private sector and national security, depending on how the justices rule aft...

Deterring federal employees from serving [in the military reserves] because of financial costs is “the opposite of what Congress intends and laws like USERRA are designed to do,” said Hampton Dellinger. news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-...

Special Counsel Dellinger, colleagues discuss speech rights of federal employees & OSC's role.
"Congress and the courts, including MSPB, have made clear that federal workers have a right to be heard, especially when blowing the whistle." @abaesq.bsky.social
osc.gov/News/Pages/2...

US Special Counsel: Metro Airport landing approach may create 'danger for landing aircraft and flying public' The U.S. Special Counsel is taking issue with the actions of Federal Aviation Administration managers at Metro Airport yet again.

www.wxyz.com/news/local-n...

Special Counsel finds reports reviewing FAA flight safety at Detroit Metropolitan Airport & CBP emergency responses in Texas do not appear reasonable osc.gov/News/Pages/2...

OSC Remembers the late K. William O’Connor, Special Counsel (1982-86) osc.gov/News/Pages/2...

OSC applauds settlement for an attorney who alleged retaliation after disclosing sexual misconduct by an Alaska District Court Judge. osc.gov/News/Pages/2...