Grassley Requests Review of FBI "Loss of Effectiveness' Orders amid Allegations of Whistleblower Retaliation

Press Release

Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, requested an independent review of a personnel management practice at the Federal Bureau of Investigation that some agency whistleblowers claim is being used as a means of retaliation and gender discrimination against female employees. Whistleblowers allege that the FBI uses Loss of Effectiveness orders (LOEs) to demote or reassign employees without providing an appeal process or even a rationale for the order.

"Whistleblowers play an important role in routing out waste and abuse in the federal government, and they should not be punished for it, especially by their employer. If the FBI is punishing whistleblowers for their actions, and taking away their opportunity for appeal, we need to know about it, and put a stop to it," Grassley said.

Last July, Grassley pressed FBI Director James Comey about the use of LOEs, which whistleblowers claim bypass existing due process channels. A number of whistleblowers have come forward since last July's inquiry.

In a letter to the Government Accountability Office, Grassley requested a review of FBI's policies governing LOEs to ensure fairness for employees. Grassley also requested an explanation for why the practice is needed given existing tools designed to address misconduct and improve efficiency. The request references a GAO report released today, highlighting the challenges whistleblowers face at the FBI.

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