“Pattern of conduct” by Assistant Secretary of Labor for VETS

Probe requested by McCaskill results in resignation of senior Administration official
Senator pursued whistleblower allegations of contractor fraud, waste at Labor Department
By Press Release
Waynesville Daily Guide

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A top official at the U.S. Department of Labor has resigned after an Inspector General investigation, requested by U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, found that the official, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans’ Employment and Training Services (VETS) Raymond Jefferson, circumvented rules and regulations to secure government contracts for friends and colleagues.

McCaskill, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight, was approached late last year by a whistleblower who shared allegations of contracting fraud committed by senior officials within the Department. A thorough investigation by the Labor Department’s Inspector General (McCaskill’s request for an investigation is available on her website, HERE) resulted in a report released publicly today.

The report (executive summary HERE) describes a “pattern of conduct” by Assistant Secretary of Labor for VETS, Raymond Jefferson, “which reflects a consistent disregard of federal procurement regulations, federal ethics principles, and the proper stewardship of appropriated dollars.”

McCaskill was informed yesterday that as a result of the investigation, Jefferson has resigned.

The Labor Department has also taken control of procurement authority in the VETS program to ensure that no contracts can be awarded without approval of senior officials outside the program.
read more here
Probe requested by McCaskill results in resignation