The case is Flynn v Department of Veterans Affairs (CAFC No. 2020-1898 (nonprecedential), 12/7/20). Mr. Flynn worked at the VA Wenatchee Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Spokane, Washington. He blew the whistle on an HR specialist who Mr. Flynn claimed had violated privacy rules when giving a presentation. Supposedly confidential information about prior discipline cases, including one involving Mr. Flynn, was discussed “in detail.” (Opinion p. 2)
Some two months later the agency removed Mr. Flynn stemming from an angry confrontation with his supervisor. On appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the administrative judge found that while Flynn had established his bona fides as a whistleblower, the agency proved that Mr. Flynn would have been terminated, nevertheless. He would have been fired for his “angry, inappropriate response to a performance evaluation…” and therefore was not entitled to relief. (p. 2)
In a whistleblowing situation, the appellant must make out the case that he did in fact blow the whistle, the agency knew about it, and some adverse action followed. The agency then has to prove it would have taken the same adverse action in spite of the whistleblowing. DVA met its burden.
Flynn took his case to the appeals court. In short, the court has now sustained MSPB’s handling of the appeal and granted Flynn no relief. He remains terminated from employment.