Exec at opposition research company hired by EPA has been investigating employees who are critical
Source: raw story
Tom Boggioni 16 Dec 2017 at 08:57 ET
An executive working at an opposition research firm specializing in digging up dirt has been researching Environmental Protection Agency employees looking at staffers who oppose the policies of President Donald Trump.
According to the New York Times, Allan Blutstein, a vice president for Definers Public Affairs, has submitted dozens of FOIA requests to the EPA — many of which appear to specifically target employees who have been critical of the Trump administration.
In an interview, Blutstein was candid about what he is looking for.
“I wondered if they were emailing critical things about the agency on government time and how frequently they were corresponding about this,” the exec explained. “And did they do anything that would be useful for Republicans.”
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Read more: https://www.rawstory.com/2017/12/exec-at-opposition-research-company-hired-by-epa-has-been-investigating-employees-who-are-critical-of-trump-report/
I truly do not know when or IF Republicans are going to say Enough!
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to destroy the Federal civil service. Intimidating and silencing criticism are just part of their playbook. Of course, government employees should not be conducting political activities while at work, but it's only human to vent a little or express an opinion. Now the dumpsters will seek out such examples and use them to cow workers into silence.
Federal employees should realize that the dumpsters are going to come after the entire Civil Service employment system, including the pay scale, benefits, job protections, etc. etc. etc. After they gut public employee unions per the Supreme Court case that is pending, it's gonna get ugly.
I know many Federal employees who voted for dump, warnings notwithstanding. They are idiots.
And, a nonpolitical civil service is a bulwark against fascism. That's why the dumpsters are out to destroy it, plus crippling the Federal Government and extracting money to funnel upwards.
America Rising LLC | PAC | America Rising Squared | Definers Public Affairs
. . .
Background on America Rising
America Rising LLC and America Rising PAC were founded in Spring of 2013, in response to perceived Democratic superiority in the field of opposition research. [1] The related but distinct corporate entities are both commonly referred to as America Rising, and the entities are often confused. Most popular mentions in the media and public refer to the activities of the PAC. As CNN described when the enterprises first launched: [2]
As a super PAC, [America Rising] will focus on digital campaigns and placing negative stories about Democrats in the news media. It does not plan to run television ads.
A separate wing of the group will incorporate as a limited liability company (LLC), which can coordinate directly with campaigns and political committees by sharing video and resources. [To avoid making illegal in-kind corporate contributions, the LLC needs to charge for access to the videos and resources.]
. . .
Allan Blutstein, Vice President of Freedom of Information Act Operations
LinkedIn, Twitter
Allan Blutstein has joined the firm as vice president of Freedom of Information Act operations, placing him in charge of public records requests. Blutstein, who joined the firm after working at the government accountability firm Cause of Action, is a lawyer and public records expert. He previously worked as a principal legal adviser to the FOIA staff at the Treasury Department's Office of Financial Stability, as well as in the Department of Justice's Office of Information and Privacy. [Roll Call] - [26]
More:
https://www.desmogblog.com/america-rising-llc-pac-america-rising-squared-definers-public-affairs
