FBI agents alleging retaliation for revealing misconduct within the agency during former President Joe Biden’s administration are requesting that new FBI Director Kash Patel reassess their situations. In early March, the organization Empower Oversight sent a letter to Samuel Ramer, the FBI’s general counsel, seeking assistance regarding the purported mistreatment of whistleblowers, which includes FBI agents and employees Garret O’Boyle, Marcus Allen, Stephen Friend, Zach Schofftsall, Monica Shillingburg, and Michael Zummer, as reported by Just The News. Additionally, four other individuals mentioned in the letter had their identities redacted, one of whom wishes to provide insights from his experience working under the notorious Peter Strzok. One whistleblower, Marcus Allen, a staff operations specialist, had his security clearance revoked for questioning the truthfulness of Director Christopher Wray’s testimony to Congress and for other allegations linked to Allen’s political views and concerns regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. This agent, assigned to the FBI’s Charlotte Division, was suspended indefinitely without pay. The organization stated that the FBI reached a settlement with Allen, but it failed to fully meet its obligations under the agreement, including rectifying his W2 tax forms and compensating him for the appropriate amount of leave owed. Allen expressed, ‘While I feel vindicated now in regaining my security clearance, it is disheartening that in the country I served as a Marine, the FBI was permitted to misrepresent my loyalty to the U.S. for two years. Without accountability, this will continue to happen to others. Enhanced oversight and modifications to security clearance regulations are essential to prevent the mistreatment experienced by whistleblowers like myself.’ Empower Oversight is also advocating for a comprehensive review of his and other whistleblower cases.A prevalent issue among many of our clients whose security clearances have been suspended or revoked is the FBI’s capacity to prolong the process indefinitely and exert financial pressure on its employees by halting their salaries and obstructing their ability to earn a livelihood through other means. Many individuals confronted with this situation ultimately resign, facing no viable opportunity to contest the decision, which perpetuates the cycle without resolution. The attorneys representing the FBI agents stated that if your office’s review does not prompt immediate managerial action to address the grievances and resolve our clients’ outstanding issues, we would consider advising our clients to pursue mediation with a neutral mediator, provided that a senior official without bias towards our clients is appointed with the authority to negotiate on behalf of the FBI during the mediation process. The group expressed appreciation for your examination of these cases aimed at finding amicable solutions and addressing the damages inflicted by the FBI on our clients, while also indicating their readiness to participate in other sincere efforts to achieve the same objectives. Foster remarked to Just the News that much of our work must remain confidential, as some clients prefer not to be in the public eye; however, public scrutiny can sometimes be necessary to effect change. He further noted that these FBI clients have endured a prolonged wait within a system that, as of now, continues to fail in its commitment to safeguard whistleblowers from retaliation. It is time to fulfill those commitments and ensure they hold genuine significance in these instances.
FBI Whistleblowers Punished Under Biden Ask Patel To Review Their Cases
