TOPICS
TOPICS
White House forces OSC chief out
The White House on Thursday forced out the embattled head of the Office of Special Counsel, according to several sources.
A White House spokeswoman said Special Counsel Scott Bloch voluntarily resigned during a meeting on Thursday morning. Bloch will be on administrative leave until Dec. 12, which the spokeswoman said is the official end of his five-year term.
The resignation letter Bloch submitted on Monday misstated that his term would end on Jan. 5, 2009, the spokeswoman said.
The White House said William Reukauf, who had been serving as associate special counsel and director of field operations, has been named the acting special counsel and will remain in that role until a permanent replacement is appointed by the next administration.
Reukauf has served as interim special counsel on several occasions, including when the term of Elaine Kaplan ended in 2003 and before Bloch was confirmed by the Senate.
According to the office's Web site, Reukauf joined the legal staff of OSC in January 1983. He was appointed associate special counsel for prosecution in February 1985. In 2001, he became the head of an investigation and prosecution division. He also is in charge of OSC's Alternative Dispute Resolution Program.
Bloch is under federal investigation for possible obstruction of justice for destroying computer files sought by investigators in a prior probe into whether he retaliated illegally against whistleblowers in his office.
Dan Friedman of CongressDaily contributed to this report.
COMMENTS
- Finally! In the waning hours of arguably the worst, if not the most dishonest, administration this country has ever suffered we are left to speculate on the real reasons behind his departure at such a curious time. Perhaps some investigative journalist with a good grasp of administrative law can uncover the truth. All gay and lesbian federal employees, whether serving openly or in the closet, should celebrate December 12 as the beginning of the end to a period of discrimination exceeded only by the McCarthy witch hunts of the 50's. Craig Mahaffey Posted October 28, 2008 2:40 PM
- Regardless of who our new president will be, inauguration day will be a great day for America. The reason is because one of our worst administrations ever will depart the premises of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. Marine Corps One will perform one of its most important missions ever when it carries Mr. Bush out of our nation's capital. Thank you USMC. God Bless America. Rick Posted October 27, 2008 7:20 AM
- Good riddance to yet another disgraced Bush-appointed idiot! Joseph Posted October 24, 2008 11:39 AM
