August 30, 1996
THE DAILY FED
Bogus Buyout Bulletin
The fake release, entitled "OPM Bulletin: Civil Servant Separation Incentive," circulated among defense agencies around Philadelphia. It announced congressional approval of a buyout plan that would offer federal employees over 50 years old with 25 years of service $40,000 over five years to retire early. The release said that once again the Republican Congress had "taken the lead away from the President" and that Clinton would sign the measure "to remain viable in the civil service employee's eye, this being an election year."
The Office of Personnel Management, concerned that Federal workers might believe the hoax, released a media advisory Monday calling the bogus news release "totally false and malicious." OPM is investigating the incident.
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