FederalDaily - May 17, 2006

New Way to Report Public Corruption

The FBI launched a publicly-available Web site for citizens to report concerns and allegations of public corruption, the bureau said May 11. FBI Director Robert J. Mueller announced the plan during a speech in San Diego, Calif. “Public corruption would not be tolerated and although rooting out corruption can be exceptionally difficult, it is a mission for which the FBI is singularly situated,” Mueller said. The site, at reportcorruption.fbi.gov, will allow the public to send information directly to the FBI. Analysts, the bureau’s statement said, will review the information and determine necessary follow-up procedures.

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Benefit Protection for Disabled Dependents of Feds

Recently introduced legislation would ensure that disabled dependents of federal workers could receive a survivor annuity without sacrificing Medicaid benefits. The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) praised the bill, which was introduced by Sens. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., and Ken Salazar, D-Colo. Charles Fallis, president of NARFE, said, “It is inconceivable that an adult disabled child of a deceased federal worker should lose their health care safety net just because a survivor annuity barely pushes them over the poverty level.” Fallis pointed out that similar income for disabled children of private-sector workers is exempt from Medicaid calculations. According to NARFE, the bill would authorize the Office of Personnel Management to make survivor annuity payments to disabled dependents through a trust, which would allow them to retain Medicaid benefits.

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Boeing Settles for $615 Million

Boeing has tentatively agreed to pay $615 million in a settlement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) concerning Boeing’s 2002 hiring of former Air Force acquisition official Darleen Druyun and use of competitor information, according to DOJ. As part of the agreement, the U.S. government would not seek criminal charges relating to the incidents, on the condition that Boeing management does not commit federal crimes for the next two years. The settlement includes a $50 million penalty and $565 million to resolve potential civil claims. In a statement on Boeing’s Web site, Doug Bain, senior vice president, said, “Boeing will accept responsibility for the conduct of its employees and make additional commitments regarding ongoing compliance. No charges will be filed.” Both parties expect the agreement to be signed within the next few weeks.

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ATF and Union Reach Telework Agreement

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) reached a telework agreement that gives a majority of ATF’s more than 900 employees the opportunity to work offsite, according to NTEU. Under the agreement, 650 ATF investigators will be able to telework on a full-time basis, while 98 auditors and analysts will have the option of a part-time schedule. According to NTEU, ATF’s previous best offer would have only extended telework privileges to nine employees, less than 50 percent of the time. The agency and union reached the agreement in 12-hour session with the Federal Services Impasse Panel.

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