Less than two months ago, a high-profile government whistleblower advocate found himself under scrutiny — ironically in an investigation of an alleged leak to Congress.
The Pentagon's inspector general was trying to suspend and possibly revoke the top secret access of Dan Meyer, that office's former director of whistleblowing. At the time, the news triggered concerns in Congress that he was being retaliated against for doing his job. But Meyer, who is now executive director for intelligence community whistleblowing, doesn't appear to be going anywhere.
Although he won't comment on the specifics, he did say his security badge "had been restored." Asked if he had any concerns about his future, he was cryptic, but upbeat. "I have been treated very well by the intelligence community," he said.
Meyer's discretion is understandable. Although a McClatchy reporter was authorized to meet with him at his office, a flashing red light indicated the visitor didn't have a security clearance. Meyer also showed off locked filing cabinets with his office's growing whistleblower caseload.
Meyer was mum on the outcome of his security investigation, instead pointing to his recent work with his boss, Intelligence Community Inspector General I. Charles McCullough III. Much of that work is classified but Meyer recently helped declassify documents that offer some snippets on the investigations by the inspector general's office, which was created in 2011.
According to those records, the office received five complaints in the last six months that could involve fraud, waste or abuse of some kind. During the same time period, three other cases were investigated in order to determine whether they were of "urgent concern" to Congress and another case involved alleged retaliation. However, other details _ such as which intelligence agencies were involved _ remain under wraps. "It's a good start," Meyer said of the declassification.
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(Note: Highlighting in documents was done prior to receipt by the reporter. Click here if you don't see the documents above.)
By Marisa Taylor
McClatchy Washington Bureau