Top Deputy in US Watchdog Agency Quits, Objects to ‘Political Agendas’

The top deputy to the chief of a government watchdog agency has resigned and accused his boss of putting "political agendas and personal vendettas" ahead of his mission.

James Byrne is resigning effective tomorrow from his post as deputy to Scott Bloch, chief of the Office of Special Counsel, the Associated Press reports. The agency is currently investigating allegations of politicization at the U.S. Justice Department.

AP obtained a letter Byrne wrote to Bloch on July 10. “Upon my departure, I am obligated to note that the mission, independence and very existence of the Office of Special Counsel are—and shall remain— at risk unless and until this agency is afforded a presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed leader who is capable of putting OSC's mission and OSC's people ahead of political agendas and personal vendettas," the letter said.

Employees who worked for Bloch filed a complaint in 2005 that claimed he retaliated against those who opposed his policies. The FBI searched Bloch’s office and home in May in a search that appeared to focus on whether he had obstructed justice. Bloch aroused suspicion when he erased files on a personal computer in his office in 2006 with the help of Geeks on Call.

A hat tip to the Wall Street Journal Law Blog.