Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

OSC Obtains Stay in Department of Interior Case

August 02, 2017

prohibited personnel practices

OSC obtained a 45‐day stay from the MSPB that blocks the termination of an employee of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Today, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) obtained a 45‐day stay from the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) that blocks the termination of an employee of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) while OSC investigates his claim of whistleblower retaliation. The employee is Jeffrey Missal, a Regional Environmental Officer in Anchorage, Alaska. Mr. Missal filed a retaliation complaint with OSC alleging that he was investigated and ultimately terminated because he disclosed internally and to the DOI Inspector General his belief that DOI violated environmental regulations in the review process for an Artic oil drilling lease.

OSC may request a stay from the MSPB when OSC has a reasonable belief that the personnel action taken or to be taken is the result of a prohibited personnel practice. Such a request by OSC shall be granted unless, under the facts and circumstances, such a stay would not be appropriate. A grant of a stay request is not a finding on the merits of the claim.

The MSPB’s stay order, which contains further details, can be found here.

Return to top

U.S. Office of Special Counsel

An Official website of the Federal Government

Looking for U.S. government information and services? Visit USA.gov