Investigative Reports

Complainant is a Senior Special Agent with the United States Secret Service. For 20 years, he worked in a variety of investigative and protective duties until his security clearance was suspended in 2013. Complainant reported to us that the Secret Service suspended and revoked his security clearance as retaliation for disclosing alleged violations of federal antidiscrimination laws and for separately reporting abuse of authority on the part of his former Special Agent in Charge and other officials. As a result of these security clearance actions, the Secret Service placed Complainant on administrative leave and then indefinite suspension without pay, his current status with the agency.Underpinning this matter are allegations of whistleblower retaliation by adverse security clearance action. For the first time within the Department of Homeland Security, under Presidential Policy Directive 19 (PPD-19), we have substantiated an instance of retaliation related to security clearance actions.

Please also see the link below for the DOJ OIG's related Memorandum for the Deputy Attorney General, "Recommendation for a Department of Justice Policy Establishing Standards for its Security Offices to Review Misconduct Investigations for Security Clearance Adjudications," which was issued in conjunction with this report.

CNCS-OIG investigation disclosed that YMCA staff violated 45 CFR § 2540.100(f) Nondisplacement, when they knowingly allowed 13 AmeriCorps members to fill vacant staff daycare teachers and assistant teacher positions with the YMCA’s School Age Learning Center program for up to three months until the YMCA could hire suitable employees.Agency management concurred with CNCS-OIG recommendations and took the following action: (1) disallowed and recouped $22,312 in stipend payments disbursed to thirteen members placed in staff positions; (2) disallowed and recouped $22, 237.86 in Segal Education Awards awarded to eight members whose hours included staff displacement; and (3) elevate the risk level of the North Dakota Commission due to the poor program management of the YMCA grant. CNCS management declined to disallow any staff salary used as non-Federal match because the YMCA’s match contribution exceeded the legally required match amount.

This Newsletter provides a bimonthly summary of selected investigative accomplishments.

A joint investigation with the Lordsburg New Mexico Police Department found that Ms. Mary Cristina Ortiz, Executive Director,The Wellness Coalition, Lordsburg, NM, defrauded the U.S. Government when she allowed two AmeriCorps members (Ms. Ortiz’children) to submit timesheets that falsely claim they performed AmeriCorps service in Lordsburg, NM, while they attendedcollege in another state. Ms. Ortiz actions resulted in the loss of $16,500 in Federal funds.

CNCS-OIG investigators found no evidence to support an allegation that AmeriCorps members with the Volunteers in Service to America, Student Veterans of America, Washington, DC, a service site of the American Legion Auxiliary, Indianapolis, IN., engaged in prohibited activities to influence proposed legislation.