Government Law
Top Deputy in US Watchdog Agency Quits, Objects to ‘Political Agendas’
Posted Jul 18, 2008, 09:53 am CDT
By Debra Cassens Weiss
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.
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Comments
Posted by Gail Jensen - 1 month, 2 weeks, 4 days, 8 hours, 57 minutes ago
No real surprise here. The sordid legacy of the Bush administration will be that of putting ideology before competence and political power before the national interest. Campaign 24/7 and to hell with governing sensibly.
Posted by associate - 1 month, 2 weeks, 4 days, 7 hours, 11 minutes ago
If you actually read the article, it says that the office investigating the DOJ hates Bush so much that they’re not being impartial as they were commissioned to do. Instead, they’re carrying out personal vendettas against the Bush administration.
Gail, you’re Scott Bloch in real life, aren’t you? Facts be d***, let’s get Bush.
Posted by Paul - 1 month, 2 weeks, 1 day, 8 hours, 57 minutes ago
"The sordid legacy of the Bush administration will be that of putting ideology before competence and political power before the national interest.”
Well put, Gail. This story has been creeping along in the margins for a few weeks. It is about time someone called greater attention to it. It is part of a pattern of behavior and policy that is shown by verifiable facts. Research these fine folks richly rewarded for their patriotism: Sibel Edmonds, Bunnatine H. Greenhouse, Rick Piltz, etc. ad nauseaum.
Posted by Paul - 1 month, 2 weeks, 1 day, 8 hours, 50 minutes ago
If you actually read the article, and do a little background research, it says that the office investigating the DOJ might be protecting Bush by dismissing whistleblower complaints out personal vendettas against people who oppose the Bush administration.
Posted by Paul - 1 month, 2 weeks, 1 day, 8 hours, 31 minutes ago
http://digg.com/politics/30_U_S_Officials_Who_Stood_Up_Against_Bush_Administration?t=17041159
Posted by kay sieverding - 1 month, 1 week, 2 days, 10 hours, 38 minutes ago
I can prove that I was the victim of federal and state felonies by known parties with evidence that can’t be contested and that the government didn’t prosecute them.