Findings of Whistleblower Retaliation by Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response Management Official

The Special Investigations Branch of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG), conducted an investigation in response to allegations brought by the complainant, an officer of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. The officer alleged that their supervisor retaliated against them for forwarding an email that was perceived to be a whistleblower disclosure about potential vulnerabilities of existing IT systems. OIG investigators found that the supervisor removed the officer from an acting supervisory position in retaliation for making the perceived protected disclosure. The OIG investigative report was provided to the U.S. Surgeon General and included a recommendation that appropriate action be taken.