Edgar D Lee, a Gulf War Veteran, retired from the U.S. Department of Commerce after filing a discrimination complaint and after Commerce officials exposed him to "airborne asbestos." Mr. Lee, settled his complaint against Commerce and took disability retirement. He says he retired after the agency refused him reasonable accommodations. See Office of Special Counsel letters to President Obama.
Dennis Turner, a military veteran, served as a Correctional/Youth/Clinical Security Officer at the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) until he retired in 2008. Before retiring with 26 years of federal service, Turner filed a class-action complaint against BOP alleging widespread retaliation and race discrimination. The EEOC certified the class complaint in September 2010. Dennis Turner et. al vs Michael Mukasey Case EEOC 541-2008-00255X. The EEOC's November 2010 evaluation disclosed that the BOP had an "unusually large number of complaints alleging retaliation."
J. Gregory Richardson, a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy (Retired), says Customs Border Patrol (CBP) fired him from federal service on March 8, 2014, and failed to comply with 38 USC 4312, which covers reemployment rights of persons who serve in the uniformed services.
J.G Richardson with Condoleeza Rice
(Image by Courtesy of J. Gregory Richardson, Lieutenant Commander in the Navy (Retired)) Details DMCA
The highly decorated officer, whose heroic actions led to the capture of terrorists, filed an EEO complaint against James F. Tomsheck, CBP's former head of internal affairs. Reportedly, the CBP settled two of veteran Richardson's complaints (non-selection and hostile work environment). Still, Richardson says he has been forced into five separate legal actions and burdened with thousands of dollars in debt all because CBP officials engaged in racially discriminatory actions against him and repeatedly ignored his status as a disabled veteran. (Case HS-09-CBP-002184-001001).
Jeff Atkins, a U.S. Army veteran, once served as a counselor at the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) before the agency terminated him. According to Mr. Atkins, despite going through proper management channels and seeking aid from union officials, BOP's Warden John Owen failed to provide him reasonable accommodation for a service-connected knee injury. (See email from union representative.) Atkins, who has been instrumental in representing employees in cases against the BOP, says the government is "blackballing" him. He reported how his 10 points veteran's preference was not reflected on a job for which he applied and qualified. He says, when he inquired about the omission with the Office of Personnel Management -- the position was shortly cancelled.
These brave men and women of our military have dedicated their abilities and put their very lives on the line to defend the freedoms that all Americans enjoy. Their accounts reflect that America needs to do a better job at supporting our returning military. Qualified men and women, of all races who fight for our country, should never have to return stateside only to fight for federal jobs.
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