Observations on the Office of the Special Counsel's Operations
FPCD-82-10: Published: Dec 2, 1981. Publicly Released: Dec 2, 1981.
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GAO reviewed the Office of the Special Counsel's (OSC) handling of prohibited personnel practice complaints. In its review, GAO selected a random sample of 283 cases out of 948 cases closed between October 1, 1980, and March 31, 1981.
Of the cases reviewed, OSC substantiated only one complaint. Seven others were resolved between the agency and the complainant before OSC completed its investigation, and 40 percent of its cases were closed because of insufficient evidence of any violation. OSC averaged more than 170 calendar days to process a case. GAO found that OSC operations were still hampered by the effects of a budget rescission and limited staffing. GAO found numerous problems with OSC case files. In general, the files were in disarray: information in the files was not inventoried and was usually randomly organized; records of phone calls or coordination with other OSC investigators were often scraps of papers; and file documents submitted by the complainants and records of investigators' research were not secured or anchored to the file folders and could be easily lost, misfiled, or destroyed without anyone knowing such items were missing. OSC is required to investigate Federal employee complaints and allegations involving prohibited personnel practices and may recommend corrective actions if the allegations are substantiated. However, OSC has not developed specific criteria for its staff members to follow while investigating complaints, and similar complaints may be treated differently depending on the investigator and the OSC office. While OSC is the focal point for investigating and prosecuting prohibited personnel practice complaints, the Civil Service Reform Act also gave other agencies and departments responsibility to insure that prohibited personnel practices are prevented.
Apr 12, 2018
Illicit Opioids:
While Greater Attention Given to Combating Synthetic Opioids, Agencies Need to Better Assess their EffortsGAO-18-205: Published: Mar 29, 2018. Publicly Released: Apr 12, 2018.
Mar 20, 2018
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U.S. Patent and Trademark Office:
Observations on the Covered Business Method Patent Review ProgramGAO-18-451T: Published: Mar 20, 2018. Publicly Released: Mar 20, 2018.
Mar 13, 2018
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U.S. Patent and Trademark Office:
Assessment of the Covered Business Method Patent Review ProgramGAO-18-320: Published: Mar 12, 2018. Publicly Released: Mar 13, 2018.
Mar 12, 2018
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National Roadside Survey:
NHTSA Changed Methodology to Address Driver ConcernsGAO-18-328R: Published: Mar 12, 2018. Publicly Released: Mar 12, 2018.
Feb 15, 2018
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Federal Prisons:
Information on Inmates with Serious Mental Illness and Strategies to Reduce RecidivismGAO-18-182: Published: Feb 15, 2018. Publicly Released: Feb 15, 2018.
Feb 8, 2018
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Federal Law Enforcement:
DHS and DOJ Are Working to Enhance Responses to Incidents Involving Individuals with Mental IllnessGAO-18-229: Published: Feb 8, 2018. Publicly Released: Feb 8, 2018.
Feb 2, 2018
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Federal Criminal Restitution:
Most Debt Is Outstanding and Oversight of Collections Could Be ImprovedGAO-18-203: Published: Feb 2, 2018. Publicly Released: Feb 2, 2018.
Jan 8, 2018
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Bureau of Prisons:
Better Planning and Evaluation Could Help Ensure Effective Use of Retention IncentivesGAO-18-147: Published: Dec 7, 2017. Publicly Released: Jan 8, 2018.
Dec 21, 2017
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Internet Firearm Sales:
ATF Enforcement Efforts and Outcomes of GAO Covert TestingGAO-18-24: Published: Nov 21, 2017. Publicly Released: Dec 21, 2017.
Dec 13, 2017
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Department of Justice:
Continued Action Needed To Address Incarceration Challenges and Offenders' ReentryGAO-18-275T: Published: Dec 13, 2017. Publicly Released: Dec 13, 2017.
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