U.S. Office of Special Counsel  1730 M Street, N.W., Suite 201  Washington, D.C. 20036-4505

U.S. OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL ANNOUNCES SENATE CONFIRMATION OF SCOTT J. BLOCH TO HEAD AGENCY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 12/23/03
CONTACT: MARY K. MONAHAN
(202) 653-8950               

   Today, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) announces that on December 9, 2003, by voice vote, the Senate confirmed President George W. Bush’s nomination of Scott J. Bloch to the position of Special Counsel of OSC. Mr. Bloch will join OSC on January 5, 2004, for a five-year term. 

   Mr. Bloch served as Deputy Director and Counsel to the Task Force for Faith-based and Community Initiatives at the Department of Justice. Previously, Mr. Bloch was a Partner with Stevens & Brand, LLP, where he practiced in the areas of civil rights law, employment law, and legal ethics. He served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Kansas School of Law. Mr. Bloch earned his bachelor's degree and his J.D. from the University of Kansas.

   OSC is an independent investigative and prosecutorial agency. Our primary mission is to safeguard the merit system in federal employment by protecting federal employees and applicants from prohibited personnel practices, especially retaliation for whistleblowing. OSC also has jurisdiction over the Hatch Act to enforce restrictions on political activity by government employees. Finally, OSC facilitates disclosures of wrongdoing in the federal government by operating a secure channel for whistleblowers.

   For more information about OSC, please visit our website at www.osc.gov. 

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