Whistleblower Protection

Individuals provide an important service by reporting and substantiating cases of fraud, waste, and abuse. SIGAR encourages such individuals to provide their contact information to more effectively follow up, obtain more information, and evaluate concerns. In order to protect individuals providing their contact information, SIGAR will not disclose the identity of the individuals who come forward with information without the consent of that individual - unless the IG determines that such disclosure is unavoidable during the course of an investigation.

The Inspector General Act of 1978 (IG Act)

In accordance with the IG Act:

• §7. Complaints by employees; disclosure of identity; reprisals
  • (b) The Inspector General shall not, after receipt of a complaint or information from an employee, disclose the identity of the employee without the consent of the employee, unless the Inspector General determines such disclosure is unavoidable during the course of the investigation.
• §8M. Information on websites of Offices of Inspectors General
  • (b) (2) Reporting of fraud, waste, and abuse.—
    • (A) In general.—The Inspector General of each Federal agency and designated Federal entity shall establish and maintain a direct link on the homepage of the website of the Office of the Inspector General for individuals to report fraud, waste, and abuse. Individuals reporting fraud, waste, or abuse using the direct link established under this paragraph shall not be required to provide personally identifying information relating to that individual.
    • (B) Anonymity.—The Inspector General of each Federal agency and designated Federal entity shall not disclose the identity of any individual making a report under this paragraph without the consent of the individual unless the Inspector General determines that such a disclosure is unavoidable during the course of the investigation.

The full IG Act is published by the House of Representatives Office of Law Revision Counsel (OLRC).

The Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 (WPEA)

Notice to SIGAR employees and former employees regarding whistleblower protection and non-disclosure policies, forms, or agreements.

The Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 (WPEA) was signed into law on November 27, 2012. The WPEA requires that any non-disclosure policy, form, or agreement include the statement below, and provides that any such policy, form, or agreement executed without the language may be enforced as long as agencies give employees notice of the statement. As a (former) SIGAR employee, you may have been required to sign any non-disclosure policy, form, or agreement to access classified or other information. You should read the statement below as if it were incorporated into any non-disclosure policy, form, or agreement you have signed.

These provisions are consistent with and do not supersede, conflict with, or otherwise alter the employee obligations, rights, or liabilities created by existing statute or Executive order relating to (1) classified information, (2) communications to Congress, (3) the reporting to an Inspector General of a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, or (4) any other whistleblower protection. The definitions, requirements, obligations, rights, sanctions, and liabilities created by controlling Executive orders and statutory provisions are incorporated into this agreement and are controlling.

Current and former employees of SIGAR are reminded that reporting evidence of waste, fraud, or abuse involving classified information or classified programs must continue to be made consistent with established rules and procedures designed to protect classified information.

Controlling Executive Orders and statutory provisions are as follows:

• Executive Order No. 13526;
• Section 7211 of Title 5, United States Code (governing disclosures to Congress);
• Section 1034 of Title 10, United States Code, as amended by the Military Whistleblower Protection Act (governing disclosure to Congress by members of the military);
• Section 2302(b)(8) of Title 5, United States Code, as amended by the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 (governing disclosures of illegality, waste, fraud, abuse or public health or safety threats);
• Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982 (50 U.S.C. 421 et seq.) (governing disclosures that could expose confidential Government agents);
• The statutes which protect against disclosure that may compromise the national security, including sections 641, 793, 794, 798, and 952 of title 18, United States Code; and
• Section 4(b) of the Subversive Activities Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 783(b)).