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annabanana

(52,791 posts)
Tue Jun 10, 2014, 07:59 AM Jun 2014

The VA Inspector General has subpoenaed nonprofit group Project on Government Oversight

http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2014/06/va-watchdog-subpoenas-advocacy-group/86071/?oref=govexec_today_nl

The Veterans Affairs Department’s inspector general, whose reports on apparent misreporting of veterans waiting times at medical centers triggered the current scandal, has subpoenaed a whistleblower advocacy group for records on reported abuses at VA facilities.

The nonprofit Project on Government Oversight declined to cooperate with the May 30 demand. In a letter sent to the IG on Monday, POGO said the subpoena infringes on the group’s constitutional “freedom of speech, freedom of press, and freedom of association rights as they relate to all whistleblowers and sources.”


Bureaucracies sure do hate to have dirty laundry aired out, don't they?
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The VA Inspector General has subpoenaed nonprofit group Project on Government Oversight (Original Post) annabanana Jun 2014 OP
There is no generalized "Whistleblower" privilege COLGATE4 Jun 2014 #1
Did not say that there was... annabanana Jun 2014 #2
T take issue with your characterization that the COLGATE4 Jun 2014 #3
What "pertinent information" do they need about whistleblowers? annabanana Jun 2014 #4
Again, you're mischaracterizing the story. COLGATE4 Jun 2014 #5
That's not what they requested in the subpoena... Chan790 Jun 2014 #6

COLGATE4

(14,732 posts)
1. There is no generalized "Whistleblower" privilege
Tue Jun 10, 2014, 08:10 AM
Jun 2014

that would permit the group to refuse to respond to a legitimately ordered subpoena.

annabanana

(52,791 posts)
2. Did not say that there was...
Tue Jun 10, 2014, 08:13 AM
Jun 2014

... just suggested that thin skinned bureaucracies might not be well served in their mission by reflexively lashing out at those who bring misconduct to light.

COLGATE4

(14,732 posts)
3. T take issue with your characterization that the
Tue Jun 10, 2014, 08:17 AM
Jun 2014

Attorney General's office is "lashing out" (as demonstrated by their requesting pertinent information the group has which may be relevant to an ongoing investigation). What evidence do you have that this is the case?

annabanana

(52,791 posts)
4. What "pertinent information" do they need about whistleblowers?
Tue Jun 10, 2014, 08:22 AM
Jun 2014

and what would be their desired outcome of an ongoing investigation?

Shouldn't they be investigating VA mismanagement rather than those who brought mismanagement to light?

COLGATE4

(14,732 posts)
5. Again, you're mischaracterizing the story.
Tue Jun 10, 2014, 08:26 AM
Jun 2014

The purpose of the subpoena presumably is to obtain information relevant to an investigation on VA mismanagement that they are reported to be currently carrying out. To the extent that this organization has information relevant to that investigation a subpoena is completely justified. Nowhere does it indicate that they are 'investigation those who brought mismanagement to light'. That is your own, unsupported assumption.

 

Chan790

(20,176 posts)
6. That's not what they requested in the subpoena...
Tue Jun 10, 2014, 08:28 AM
Jun 2014

it was the reports that make up the evidence for the organization's claims. There's no good reason for them to refuse to turn them over unless they falsified them or are too cheap to afford to make copies.

What they requested was the proof of VA mismanagement from the people that alleged VA mismanagement...and are now refusing to turn over that evidence.

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