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U.S. Office of Special Counsel
1730 M Street, N.W., Suite 218
Washington, D.C. 20036-4505
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FAA WHISTLEBLOWER ANNE WHITEMAN RECEIVES 2005 SPECIAL COUNSEL’S PUBLIC
SERVANT AWARD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 10/6/05
CONTACT: CATHY DEEDS, 202-254-3607 or
202-550-8785,
cdeeds@osc.gov
DALLAS – The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC)
today announced its selection of Anne Whiteman, an 18-year air traffic
controller at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), as a recipient of
the Special Counsel’s Public Servant Award. Ms. Whiteman disclosed to OSC that
air traffic controllers and management at the DFW Terminal Radar Approach
Control (TRACON) routinely covered up serious operational errors, in violation
of an FAA order.
Ms. Whiteman’s disclosures triggered an
investigation by the Department of Transportation Inspector General (DOT IG)
that substantiated her allegations. The investigation confirmed that air traffic
controllers and management systemically covered up operational errors and that
for the past seven years an improper management practice had been in place at
DFW which was responsible for covering up and failing to investigate these
errors. The DOT IG concluded that the cover-ups represented safety deficiencies
and undermined the public’s confidence in the air traffic control system. (See
OSC press release, 6/23/05, detailing transmittal of the report.)
Due to Ms. Whiteman’s courageous efforts, FAA was
able to correct a dangerous policy and serious mismanagement at one of its major
TRACON facilities. Operational errors at DFW are now reported and investigated
in a timely manner. All personnel involved in the cover-up of operational errors
were disciplined and all air traffic controllers were required to undergo
training and recertification to continue working at DFW. Whiteman has provided a
great benefit to the flying public.
Special Counsel Scott J. Bloch presented the 2005
Public Servant Award today to Ms. Whiteman for her contributions as a
whistleblower to the public safety and airline safety.
In announcing the award at OSC’s Dallas field
office, Special Counsel Bloch praised Ms. Whiteman for her courage in speaking
out. Bloch stated, “Thankfully, as a result of the investigation prompted by Ms.
Whiteman’s disclosures, DFW’s operations have been brought into line with the
FAA order. In addition, the facility is subject to periodic review by FAA to
ensure its continued compliance with its order and its proper reporting and
investigating of operational errors. To me this is a perfect example of a case
where a civil servant was willing to take on “the establishment” to protect us
all. She believed in this job and more than anything, believed in our nation’s
safety.” Bloch continued, “Today I am here to recognize in some small way, the
contribution and courage of Anne Whiteman. Her disclosure had a happy ending:
safer, more efficient management of air traffic at the Dallas Fort Worth
International Airport. We thank her for her courage in reporting these
allegations. We thank her for persistence in repeating allegations that
apparently no one wanted to hear or listen to. We thank her for working so hard
to help correct the misconduct of some of her FAA supervisors, and ultimately,
helping to protect the public.”
Ms. Whiteman is the fifth federal employee to
receive such an award. The program was established in 2001 to recognize the
contributions that federal employees make to the public interest when – often at
great personal risk – they make significant disclosures of violations of law,
rule, or regulation; gross mismanagement; a gross waste of funds; an abuse of
authority; or, as was the case here, a substantial and specific danger to public
health and safety. The Public Servant Award is a non-monetary and merit-based
award. Its purpose is to publicly recognize the most significant contributions
made by federal whistleblowers who have either filed disclosures with OSC or who
have sought relief from OSC on the grounds that they have suffered retaliation.
***
The U.S.
Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is an independent investigative and
prosecutorial agency and operates as a secure channel for disclosures of
whistleblower complaints and abuse of authority. Its 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
and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. For more
information please visit our web site at
www.osc.gov or call 1-800-872-9855.
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