Got Newsworthy Information? Remember The Privacy Act!
Information that a reporter obtained from government sources “is not protected by a reporter’s privilege under the First Amendment….”
Author: Susan McGuire Smith
Fighting Over Federal Annuity Benefits
Your federal annuity is valuable. Here is the result of a court decision in which a divorced spouse of a deceased federal employee was trying to receive an annuity.
Court Upholds Ban on DC Commuter Tax
A federal court has upheld the ban on taxing the income of commuters who work in the District of Columbia.
Firing a Government ‘Volunteer’ Isn’t Easy
The process for firing a federal employee is not quick or easy. The separation of a “volunteer” may not be quick or easy either.
Getting Fired For “Off Duty” Actions
How do the actions of a federal employee who is not on duty relate to official job performance? Can a federal employee be fired for what happens away from work?
NASA’s Financials Can’t Be Audited Says GAO
GAO issues a report that says NASA does not have a financial management system in place that can be audited and that the current system lacks “basic functionality.”
Judge Takes Over Agency’s IT Systems
A federal judge has effectively taken control of some of the computer systems for the Department of the Interior. In a lengthy decision, he ordered the agency to disconnect its systems from the internet and any intranet.
Whistleblowing and “Normally Assigned Duties”
When does a federal employee become a whistleblower and when is an employee performing normal job duties? A federal court considers a recent case.
Who Says A Federal Employee Can’t Be Fired?
Federal agencies can and do fire federal employees for a variety of offenses. Here is a series of cases in which employees were fired and the inevitable appeals were upheld all the way through the lengthy process.
Shoplifting and the Federal Employee
Does a federal employee have to be convicted of a crime to be fired for shoplifting?
