Once again, we read another story about a Federal employee who raised concerns about her Agency’s practices, and shortly thereafter finds herself without a job. At some point, but probably not before there is a new presidential administration that respects civil service, we hope that Congress will take action and improve protections against Federal whistleblowers. Click here to read the story.
This particular employee – a 29-year veteran of the Forest Service – was transferred just days after she raised objections about cuts in fire suppression spending in the San Bernardino National Forest. San Bernardino National Forest has been called the “most threatened community in the nation” because of its population density and the fire danger.I confess I don’t know the details of this employee’s removal and whistleblower case. However, the removal charge has all the hallmarks of trumped up charges meant to retaliate against an employee who has tried to do the right thing for the Federal government and the United States taxpayer. Some of these hallmarks, from my experience, include:

• Long-time federal employee with recent evidence of reporting waste, fraud, abuse or mismanagement in a government agency

• Significant adverse action against employee without, it appears, any prior disciplinary issues

• Charges include multiple specifications of a small number of, comparatively speaking, minor disciplinary charges (violation of Agency’s limited internet use policy, for example) that would typically yield other employees only a letter of reprimand or small suspension

Friend of the Firm and Attorney William Brawner is representing this particular civil servant in her removal appeal to the We wish them luck and look forward to a favorable outcome.

The Attig Law Firm, PLLC, represents Federal employees in their appeals to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and their complaints to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

If you feel that you have wrongfully removed from your Agency or suffered an adverse action because of discrimination or protected whistleblowing activity, contact a federal employee lawyer at the Attig Law Firm today.