Report: DoD delays endanger whistle-blowers - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Report: DoD delays endanger whistle-blowers

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon takes too long to investigate whistle-blower complaints from troops, unfairly endangering the careers of those who step forward and damaging the military’s ability to save money and stop fraud, a draft report by the Government Accountability Office says.

The draft report, obtained by USA Today, shows a system rife with problems that must be resolved if the Pentagon is to make the kind of financial savings it needs. Federal law protects military whistle-blowers against reprisals.

“The report is damning, but there is cause for hope: The Pentagon office of inspector general has new leadership in charge of reprisal investigations and is revamping their program,” said Nick Schwellenbach, director of investigations for the Project on Government Oversight, a non-partisan government watchdog group.

Among its key findings based on review of cases from January 2009 through March 2011:

• The Pentagon missed its 180-day deadline for completing investigations in whistle-blower cases in 70 percent of cases studied by the GAO. The delays may prompt some troops to withdraw complaints, the report said. The Pentagon Inspector General’s office attributed delays to lack of staff.

• Only 15 percent of whistle-blowing troops with substantiated claims of retribution received some form of relief.

• Knowledge about remedies for whistle-blowers is lacking. The Pentagon Inspector General at one time had provided specific recommendations for substantiated claims, including, for example, reinstatement to a job. Now, the policy is for a general recommendation that “appropriate action be taken.”

One high-profile incident involved Lt. Col. Michael Holmes. He maintained that the military launched an investigation of him after he raised concerns about improper use of propaganda. The military closed the case without interviewing him, Holmes said, but reopened the investigation after his case received public attention.

The GAO recommended that the Pentagon track the timeliness of its response to whistle-blowers, improve oversight of its investigations and ensure that remedies are delivered to those who deserve them.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who has championed the cause of government whistle-blowers, asked for the GAO report. His office did not respond to a request for comment.

The Pentagon Inspector General has responded to the report from the GAO, which is responsible for its release, said Bridget Serchak, a spokeswoman for the inspector general. The GAO declined to comment.