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It has become apparent that Scott Bloch, head of the Office of Special Counsel, was fired by the Bush Administration. This decision comes more than five months after Bloch became the target of an federal obstruction of  justice probe. Bloch's tenure has been a tumultuous one, and federal government whistleblowers have paid a heavy price.

The National Whistleblower Center's President, Stephen M. Kohn, issued the following statement upon the termination of Special Counsel Scott Bloch:

"The termination of Special Counsel Scott Bloch represents the low point in the history of the Office of Special Counsel. Originally intended to protect whistleblowers, the Office has never fulfilled its promise. Since its inception, the Office has ignored or ruled against the overwhelming majority of federal employee whistleblowers. The institution itself has never acted as a "safe harbor" for whistleblowers. Under Special Counsel Bloch, the Office imploded. Ignoring its mission to protect whistleblowers, the management of the OSC turned on its own staff."

"Change must come to the OSC and it must come fast. We call upon the new President and Congress to ensure that the position of Special Counsel be filled by a truly experienced and competent advocate for whistleblowers. Moreover, Congress and the President must act in a bi-partisan manner to ensure that never again will the Office be politicized and used as a patronage slot. The problem rests with both the President and Congress. Historically, Congress has failed to exercise any oversight concerning the appointment of the Special Counsel. That must end. This position is critically important for the enforcement of federal laws and the protection of taxpayer dollars. Employees risk their careers to do the right thing and report misconduct and abuses of power. The new President must do the right thing and appoint a Special Counsel who can protect these American heroes. Congress must do its job and demand that the next Special Counsel has the background, experience and expertise demanded under the Whistleblower Protection Act."

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UPDATE: The Washington Post is now reporting the Scott Bloch has resigned, effective yesterday, after a meeting with White House officials. The Post is covering the Bloch resignation HERE and HERE

 Click here to view Bloch's resignation letter.
 

 

UPDATE:   GOVEXEC.COM IS NOW REPORTING THAT THE WHITE HOUSE FORCED BLOCH OUT.

 

 GovernmentExecutive.com is reporting the Office of Special Counsel chief Scott Bloch has submitted his resignation to President Bush, effective January 5th. Although Mr. Bloch probably would not have lasted long under a new administration (his 5 year term ends in January), there was no replacement selected and he may have been able to serve past his term.

Bloch has had more than his share of issues while attempting to lead the independent agency charged with investigating federal government whistleblower complaints. He has dealt with whistleblower complaints against his agency, and an FBI Investigation into allegations that he hired the "Geek Squad" to wipe agency computers clean.
 

GovExec says that Bloch submitted, "a defiant two-page resignation letter to President Bush that quotes Sophocles and list[ed] his achievements at OSC."

UPDATE (10/22/08): The Washington Post has this story detailing Bloch's many disservices to federal workers. 

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Back in May I blogged about the disgrace that has become the Office of Special Counsel. At that time the head of the OSC, Scott Bloch, had his home and office raided by FBI agents in an obstruction of justice probe.


Now, more trouble is brewing at OSC. On Saturday, Bloch's Deputy Special Counsel Jim Byrne resigned, and in his resignation letter skewered Bloch, saying:

"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 Washington Times and POGO's blog carried reports on this issue last week.


NPR also has a related story, reporting that President Bush has so far refused fire Bloch, although he has been counseled to do so by senior advisers.

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Many MSM sources (such as the New York Times and CNN)and blogs (like Talk Left) are now reporting that the Office of Special Counsel was raided by the FBI today, along with the home of agency head Scott Bloch. Bloch and his agency are under investigation for obstruction of justice stemming from an ongoing probe in which Bloch and other managers at the OSC -- the agency responsible for investigating federal whistleblower complaints -- are suspected of retaliating against whistleblowers in that agency.


Mr. Bloch has been under investigation since 2005, and today's events are in no doubt related to the fact that he used a private computer service company (Geeks on Call) to erase his personal and office computers during the time of the investigation.

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