From the just released Semiannual Report to Congress by Social Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG):
Section 5(a)(20) of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended (IG Act), requires SSA OIG to provide a detailed description of any instance of whistleblower retaliation, including information about the official found to have engaged in retaliation and what, if any, consequences the establishment imposed to hold that official accountable. There are no known instances of retaliation to report for this reporting period.
Sounds like a "rules for thee, but not for me" situation.
ReplyDeletePrior to receiving an extra $10-$12M a year from congress solely for cooperative disability investigations (CDI), SSA OIG's CDI accomplishments were far better. In its Spring 2017 report to congress (October 2016 - March 2017) 2,220 disability claims were denied or ceased due to a CDI investigation and there were projected SSA savings of $121M and non-SSA savings of $143M. In FY22, OIG received, at least, $10M extra dollars from congress specifically earmarked for CDI operations. In its most recent report to congress, covering April 2022 though September 2022, a mere 574 disability claims were denied or ceased, projected SSA savings were $33M, non-SSA savings were $46M. In the Spring 2022 report to congress most of the numbers were even lower 455 cases denied or ceased, $33M in project SSA savings, and $39M in non-SSA savings. So what is the extra $10M being used for? To hire attorneys to cover up the retaliation and torture of employees in every component of OIG? Can't wait to see the SES and GS bonuses, awards, and pay raises for those who participate in the retaliation, covering up the retaliation, and lies to Congress and others. Someone should do a FOIA request for the performance evaluations of Ennis and Alpert's senior staff.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion maybe not related to this issue but OIG serves no purpose. They conduct Audits on unpaid SSI benefits 10-20 years old. Had a case where the DON was 1912 !!! be serious. The regional offices/area offices take these such cases too serious. Then send to the FO for development. Very labor intensive.
ReplyDeleteIn May 2022, Judge Berg of the MSPB found that IG Ennis and others in SSA OIG retaliated against SSA OIG Attorney Debbie Shaw. Judge Berg ordered Shaw be reinstated as a GS 15 and she was reinstated. The fact, that based on poor advice, Ennis appealed that finding of retaliation and that matter is still pending does not negate the fact that there is a finding of retaliation during this reporting period and SSA OIG withheld this information from the Congress of the United States! Consequences PLEASE.
ReplyDeleteI might be wrong, but I think that section is specific to SSA whistleblowers that OIG has taken action on. So, they’re saying there were none from SSA during that reporting period. I keep waiting for SOMETHING to happen with the retaliation at OIG. But they’ve given Joscelyn Funnie a whole brand new component to run. So maybe she doesn’t care anymore.
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