[DOCID:186873tx_xxx-86]
From the Government Manual Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Page 502-504]
OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL
Suite 300, 1730 M Street NW., Washington, DC 20036-4505
Phone, 800-872-9855. Fax, 202-653-5151. Internet, www.osc.gov.
Special Counsel Elaine Kaplan
Deputy Special Counsel Timothy Hannapel
Associate Special Counsel for William E. Reukauf
Prosecution
Associate Special Counsel for Ruth Robinson Ertel
Investigation
Associate Special Counsel for Erin McDonnell
Planning and Advice
Director, Congressional and Public Affairs Jane McFarland
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The Office of Special Counsel investigates allegations of certain
activities prohibited by civil service laws, rules, or regulations and
litigates before the Merit Systems Protection Board.
Activities
The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) was established on January 1, 1979,
by Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1978 (5 U.S.C. app.). The Civil Service
Reform Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 1101 note), which became effective on
January 11, 1979, enlarged its functions and powers. Pursuant to
provisions of the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 (5 U.S.C. 1211 et
seq.), OSC functions as an independent investigative and prosecutorial
agency within the executive branch which litigates before the Merit
Systems Protection Board.
The primary role of OSC is to protect employees, former employees,
and applicants for employment from prohibited personnel practices,
especially reprisal for whistleblowing.Its basic areas of statutory
responsibility are:
--receiving and investigating allegations of prohibited personnel
practices and other activities prohibited by civil service law, rule, or
regulation and, if warranted, initiating corrective or disciplinary
action;
--providing a secure channel through which information evidencing a
violation of any law, rule, or regulation, gross mismanagement, gross
waste of funds, abuse of authority, or substantial and specific danger
to public health or safety may be disclosed without fear of retaliation
and without disclosure of identity, except with the employee's consent;
and
--enforcing the provisions of the Hatch Act.
Sources of Information
Field offices are located in Dallas, TX (Room 7C30, 1100 Commerce
Street, 75242; phone, 214-767-8871; fax, 214-767-2764) and Oakland, CA
(Suite 365S, 1301 Clay Street, 94612-5217; phone, 510-637-3460; fax,
510-637-3474).
For further information, contact the Office of Special Counsel, Suite
300, 1730 M Street NW., Washington, DC 20036-4505. Phone, 202-653-7188
or 800-872-9855 (toll-free). Fax, 202-653-5151. Internet, www.osc.gov.
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