FederalDaily - March 23, 2006

GSA Establishes Telework Guidelines

The General Services Administration (GSA) issued regulations that, as of March 17, 2006, dictate teleworking guidelines for all applicable federal departments and agencies. U.S. law requires that agencies make at least $50,000 per year available for telework center user fees. Agencies may use appropriated funds or excess and unused government-owned equipment to facilitate alternative workplace arrangements (AWAs). In addition, agencies can provide help-desk assistance either via telecommunication or by assigning a technician to an AWA. The regulations require that the equipment is accounted for and an appropriate audit trail is maintained. The regulations further require policies and safeguards to prevent private misuse. The regulations are available online at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/E6-3942.htm.

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Outdated Absentee Ballot Process Disenfranchises Troops

Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., and 11 other senators sent a letter to Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Donald Rumsfeld earlier this month calling for an updated absentee ballot policy for members of the military deployed overseas. Under the current system, a soldier fills out a postcard and mails it to a local election official; the official mails back a ballot, which the soldier completes and returns. “Military voting is still conducted the same way it was conducted during WWII and the Korean War,” the letter said. DoD implemented a successful, more automated pilot program in 2004, the letter said, but further action has not yet been taken. Derek Hunter, a staff member for Burns, said that, according to a March 30, 2005, National Defense Committee study, between 25 and 33 percent of military voters are disenfranchised because of the cumbersome process. “Each one of these trips through the military postal service may take at least 20 days,” Hunter said. “Not to mention the inherent problems with tracking down a soldier who is on the move in rural areas throughout Iraq or Afghanistan.”

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Hacking the Boss’ Computer

Kenneth Kwak—a former computer security specialist with the Department of Education—pleaded guilty to one count of “unauthorized access to a protected computer in furtherance of a criminal or tortious act,” according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). While working on an information security audit for the department, Kwak hacked into his supervisor’s computer, allowing him to monitor his supervisor’s e-mail and Internet activity, DOJ said. In addition, he shared the communications with other employees in the office. According to DOJ, the evidence suggests that Kwak accessed the data for personal entertainment and not for any financial gain. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The sentence will be handed down on May 12, 2006.

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Abu Ghraib Dog Handler Guilty of Maltreatment

A court martial panel in Ft. Meade, Md., on Monday found Sgt. Michael Smith—a military police dog handler at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq—guilty of maltreatment of detainees. Nine other servicemembers have been court-martialed after the discovery of the abuse of Iraqi prisoners that occurred between late 2003 and 2004. After a week of proceedings, the panel found Smith guilty of two counts of prisoner maltreatment, one count of simple assault, two counts of conspiracy to maltreat, one count of dereliction of duty and a charge of an indecent act. Smith—described by prosecutors as a “rogue” soldier—tormented detainees, forcing inmates to do the “doggie dance” while holding the dog, without a muzzle, nearby.

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