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Return to Article: GSA chief accuses oversight panel of mishandling IG probe

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  According to "Dick", the IGs are independent and therefore unaccountable and can violate whatever laws they want. That of course, illustrates the entire problem and if you do not agree with the IG you are instantly attacked. I find the whole episode rather amusing. My own company several months ago voluntarily decided to drop our GSA schedule because it was just too frustrating dealing with an IG who had absolutely no business experience and routinely attacked us as a bunch of crooks. Other companies have done the same. More might follow. Doan made a spirited defense of these whistleblowers but I would bet that she is also trying to stop the bleeding at GSA and limit the losses. GSA has an IG that is now causing real damage to the schedules sales and if she can't reign in the IG and give contractors a more fair and balanced environment more companies are going to leave GSA. FWIW the first few weeks after we dropped our schedule were a bit chaotic but now we are using other contract vehicles, sales are growing and we make more money. And...we dont have to fear seeing false allegations from the GSA IG about our company in the Washington Post.

  christie Posted February 8, 2008 3:55 PM
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  The IGs all across the board is a good old boy club,you can not beat them. They have a corner on the market.

  JAJ Posted February 7, 2008 9:21 PM
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  It is clear from the record of Congressional Hearings that Ms Doan has committed serious violations of the hatch act and other acts in the attempting to award contracts to partisan political friends.

  If one looks at the history of the GSA OIG since the beginning of the IG Act, you will see that the OIG has maintained the highest levels of integrity and has served as a model of professionalism for other OIG's. There is no doubt that there will always exist a certain amount of contention between the investigative arm of government and Government Agencies. It is readily apparent that MS Doan refuses to accept independnet criticism of her agency in the manner in which they conduct their duties and responsibilites. For the most part they are a highly professional staff performing complex work necessary for the function of the Gov. In the case at hand the problem is not with the Agency but with the Administrator. Ms Doan has to understand that the Independance of the IG is of the highest priority and that means that she remain objective in receiving and evaluating the OIG reports;recommendations for improving efficiency; reducing waste, fraud, and abuse and about the conduct of her agency. The IG and his staff do not work for her and her staff. They are reqwuired by law to conduct themselves as an independant office. The OIG is tasked with the task to identify waste, fraud and abuse with in Ms Doan's Agency.

  In view of her [Doan]inappropriate conduct, it would be most appropriate for her to resign then to criticize the professionalism of the GSA OIG. I await the Whitehouse actions in view of the findings of violation of the Hatch Act.

  Dick Posted February 7, 2008 7:57 PM
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  I think there is an important relationship between the bad GSA IG and the Hatch Act stuff. Scott Bloch, the guy responsible for Hatch Act investigations found it strangely important to call up a local company called "Geeks On Call" to quickly and secretly perform a seven level sweep of his office computer systems. Anyone in government knows that there can be no rationale for asking uncleared "geeks" to come in and wipe out data on hard drives, unless of course there was damming evidence that needed to be destroyed at all costs. The PCIE has responsibility to provided oversight to this group of "watchdogs" too, but has been unable to rouse itself. And that is the entire point. If supposed watchdogs like IGs and the OSC guys under Bloch are allowed to so flagrantly violate all the rules and regulations that they are simultaneously using to fry government employees, the entire credibility of the system is shot. And that is where we are right now. It will be impossible for anyone to accept any conclusion from the GSA IG now that his mismanagement and corruption has been so clearly exposed. Nor too is it possible for anyone to accept anything coming out of the OSC, Bloch's credibility was erased by Geeks on Line. IF oversight people want to be taken seriously, they too have to follow the laws.

  dan Posted February 7, 2008 2:48 PM
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  Ken Huffman invites Miller to ask OPM to investigate the accusations against him. But he makes sweeping accusations about OPM OIG. What illegal hiring and witches brew of other illegal activity could that be? Is this logical to invite another IG that is claimed to be corrupt to investigate another? It is easy to say something so general, but can he back it up? Why does Gov Exec allow such unsubstantiated smears?

  richardcarstone Posted February 7, 2008 2:06 PM
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  Anyone working in GSA over the last 3 years, knows Mrs Doan is telling the truth! I still have friends in that "Hell Hole", for I am sorry!

  Former GSA Employee Posted February 7, 2008 11:23 AM
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  Before we all jump up and praise Admin. Doan understand that it is a disgrace she is still in her position given her blatant violation of the HATCH ACT. She refused to deny a report that after a partisan presentation on the election and Republican voting patterns; she got up and said How can we use GSA to benefit Republican candidates.

  Lance M Posted February 7, 2008 11:18 AM
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  While here complaints relative to the PCIE may have some merit, I cant help but wonder if, in the interest of equity, she should likewise write a letter to the President urging him to take action with regard to the Hatch Act allegations against her! Her concern for managment oversight seems self-serving when career feds can get dismissed for far more minor infractions.

  Ann Onymous Posted February 7, 2008 10:56 AM
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  Wow! In 20+ year of government service I have never seen or heard of an agency head so bluntly and concisely telling it like it is. At long last, it would appear that career federal procurement officers have someone they can believe in. Well done Madame Administrator...

  Karl Elliot Posted February 7, 2008 7:59 AM
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  I love it! Never thought I would enjoy so much the sight of IGs conducting a bunch of IG investigations against other IGs, based upon allegations by the IGs own legal team. Does not get much better than that. At long last these guys will all see what every other federal employee already knows, IG investigations are normally launched to settle old scores, are never fair, and rarely competently conducted. What comes around goes around boys, and at long last its coming to you...

  Julie W. Posted February 7, 2008 7:58 AM
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  Three cheers for Lurita Doan. The President's Committee on Integrity and Efficiency has been an insidious joke and a gross oxymoron for at least fifteen years. If IG Miller is smart, he turned his case over for third party "objective" review by the OPM OIG. That office routinely engages in hiring fraud and a witches brew of other illegal activities - Miller would be home free.

  Ken Huffman Posted February 6, 2008 9:34 PM
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  Years ago, I complained to the PCIE about an alleged investigation by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Inspector General. The investigation was a pure coverup; the investigator resigned before the report was finished, and it was finished by unknown individuals! Without any investigation whatsoever, the PCIE declared the complaints not convincing. I believe that the organization should be disbanded and something with some credibility put in its place.

  James Foster Posted February 6, 2008 9:22 PM
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  While I am in no position to judge Ms. Doan, and I do not know all the facts of the allegations against her, IG independence is at stake here. She apparently did not like the IG's findings about her activities and is not satisfied with how that IG is being punished or not punished as a result.

  Perhaps what is missing here is the basic understanding that the IG does not work for her and she cannot affect this outcome for a reason. IG's MUST not answer to people in her management position. These principles are very basic. What ever happened to the recommendation that went to the whitehouse for Doan's punishment?

  Don Posted February 6, 2008 7:59 PM