Affirmation Of The Culture Of Fear To Report At The Federal Level

Defense Employees Reluctant To Report 'Revolving Door' Abuses

In my last post I wrote about the culture in the federal government that suppresses, resists and places a chilling effect upon reporting abuses. While my last article focused on the events occurring at Gitmo and the FBI report that abuses "may" have occurred, this article demonstrates that the culture of fear that I addressed is in fact real.

Twenty percent of Defense Department officials and procurement personnel responding to a recent survey said they knew someone they believed violated post-government hiring rules, but only a fourth of those respondents reported the alleged violation.

Some of the reluctance to report possible violations may stem from uncertainty about how the rules apply, according to an analysis by the Defense inspector general's office. Only 21 percent of respondents said they found post-government employment rules "very clear," while 56 percent rated them "somewhat clear" and 17 percent said they were unclear.

The survey was commissioned by the Defense IG's office in late 2005 in response to a scandal in which Darleen Druyun, a senior Air Force procurement official, admitted she gave Boeing Co. preferential treatment in contract negotiations in exchange for a job with the company.

The survey examined the knowledge and opinions of civilian and military personnel at the GS-12 level and higher regarding post-government employment restrictions. It drew 3,134 responses, for a 35 percent response rate. Ninety-five percent of respondents had worked in government for more than five years.

When polled about seeking advice on employment restrictions, 89 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that Defense personnel should speak with an ethics counselor before retiring, but only 21 percent felt such consultations take place.