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| DOJ I.G. MICHAEL E. HOROWITZ |
Department of Justice Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz has created a Whistleblower Ombudsperson position within the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General. According to Horowitz, it's one of the first of its kind, and Horowitz has hired an experienced federal prosecutor as Counselor to the Inspector General to help lead the new effort.
What's an Ombudsman?
"1. A man who investigates complaints and mediates fair settlements, especially between aggrieved parties such as consumers or students and an institution or organization.2. A government official, especially in Scandinavian countries, who investigates citizens' complaints against the government or its functionaries." (FreeDictionary.Com)Horowitz said in a statement that:
"Whistleblowers play a critical role in uncovering waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement...and this new position will enable the OIG [Office of the Inspector General] to continue its leadership as a strong and independent voice within the Department of Justice on whistleblower issues...In just my first three months on the job. I have seen first-hand how whistleblowers have advanced the OIG's efforts to address wasteful and improper spending. improve the Department's operations. and protect the public's safety. "According to the Horowitz statement:
"The OIG Whistleblower Ombudsperson will focus on training and educating employees within the Department about the role and importance of whistleblowers in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the Department's operations. as well as their legal rights and protections against retaliation. The OIG Whistleblower Ombudsperson also will be responsible for alerting Department officials and managers to the possible repercussions of retaliation against those who make protected disclosures. In addition. the OIG Whistleblower Ombudsperson will:
• Ensure that whistleblower complaints are reviewed and addressed by the OIG in a prompt and thorough manner; • Communicate with whistleblowers about the status and resolution by the OIG of those complaints; • Monitor investigations of retaliation claims that are within the jurisdiction of the OIG; and • Serve as the OIG liaison to other U.S. agencies with whistleblower responsibilities, such as the Office of Special Counsel, and to non-governmental whistleblower organizations and advocacy groups."
Horowitz has acquired Congressional support from Senator Chuck Grassley, who said, in response to the launching of the Ombudsman position at the Department of Justice:
“As a co-sponsor of legislation that would create whistleblower ombudsmen throughout the Inspector General community, I appreciate this initiative and its acknowledgement that whistleblowers deserve respect and consideration. In light of Operation Fast and Furious, this position is especially necessary at the Justice Department. Time and again, information provided by whistleblowers, most often at significant risk to their own livelihoods and reputations, has proven to be tremendously valuable. Without whistleblowers, mismanagement, abuse and wrongdoing would go undetected. This effort is an important first step and, to be effective, the ombudsman needs to appreciate these realities and stand up to intense pressure from agencies to discredit whistleblowers. The ombudsman needs to be a tireless advocate for whistleblowers. Putting the right person in this job will make an important, positive difference for whistleblowers and, in turn, accountability in government. I intend to ask for regular updates on how this new position is making a difference for Justice Department whistleblowers.”
Last June "Fast and Furious" Investigators expressed concern for retaliation against whistle-blowers that brought to light the government's failed gun tracking operation that was allegedly hatched to justify instigating gun control measures here in the U.S.:
"...The two men leading Congress' investigation into 'Fast and Furious' said Friday they see signs the administration is retaliating against the whistle-blowers who first shed light on the botched gunwalking operation that has President Obama and Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. under fire...Sen. Charles E. Grassley and Rep. Darrel Issa demanded the Justice Department's inspector general step into the fray and make sure the whistle-blowers are shielded..." (Stephen Dinan @ The Washington Times).
