DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20224
COMMISSIONER
August 17,1999
MEMORANDUM FOR ALL
IRS EMPLOYEES
FROM: Charles O. Rossetti
Commissioner of Internal Revenue
SUBJECT: Whistleblower
Protection Act of 1989
As we continue with
our goal to modernize and improve the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), I believe
it is important to remind all IRS employees of their obligation to report
misconduct, fraud, waste and abuse.
Whistleblowing is
defined as the disclosure of information that an employee reasonably believes
is evidence of a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or gross
mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or a substantial
danger to public health or safety. Although each employee is encouraged to
bring such maters to the attention of his/her management officials, other
sources are available to receive such disclosures. An employee can
confidentially report these matters to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax
Administration, the Office of Special Counsel, or other sources, depending on
the circumstances.
The Whistleblower
Protection Act of 1989 provides the right for every employee to make Whistleblowing
disclosures and ensures protection from reprisal. It is my commitment that each
employee’s rights are safeguarded through this process. Therefore, any IRS
employee who has reason to believe that there has been misconduct, fraud, waste
or abuse is encouraged to report these matters.
The attached
pamphlet entitled, "The Role of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel," is being
provided to each employee. This pamphlet contains valuable information as well
as telephone numbers for reporting purposes. I encourage each employee to carefully
read this pamphlet and familiarize themselves with its contents.
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