OIG Investigations

K & S represents federal employees who are being investigated for misconduct, whether by their agencies or an Office of Inspector General.

• Four journalists from Voice of America who were terminated for alleged insubordination in conducting an interview of a Chinese business tycoon who had credible information of corruption at the highest levels of the Chinese government.  The case entailed numerous internal investigations of the journalists conducted by the agency.  In addition to contesting the allegations at the agency level, K & S sought action and redress from Congress, the Office of Special Counsel, the State Department’s Office of Inspector General and the EEOC.
• A government contractor maligned in a published Office of Inspector General report who was not apprised that he was the target of the investigation and not given required procedural safeguards.  K & S sued in federal court, alleging a violation of the client’s Fifth Amendment liberty interest in pursuing his chosen profession.  The court denied a motion to dismiss the novel claims asserted, and the case was later settled on favorable terms after further litigation.
• A federal employee investigated by an Office of Inspector General for possible bribery and undisclosed conflicts of interest.  The Office of Inspector General and the Department of Justice declined to pursue charges after K & S presented evidence refuting the allegations.
• K & S represented a federal employee who was investigated by an OIG for allegedly leaking highly sensitive information that led to a major news story.  K & S successfully defended the employee and no charges or disciplinary action were initiated.