[United States Government Manual] [June 02, 1998] [Pages 645-647] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL Suite 300, 1730 M Street NW., Washington, DC 20036-4505 Phones: Locator, 202-653-7188; Toll-free, 1-800-872-9855 Special Counsel (vacancy) [[Page 646]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T177653.058 [[Page 647]] Executive Assistant (vacancy) Deputy Special Counsel (vacancy) Associate Special Counsel for Prosecution William E. Reukauf Associate Special Counsel for Investigation Ruth Robinson Ertel Associate Special Counsel for Planning and Erin McDonnell Advice Director for Management John Kelley Director, Legislative and Public Affairs (vacancy) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Office of Special Counsel investigates allegations of certain activities prohibited by civil service laws, rules, or regulations and litigates before the Merit Systems Protection Board. Activities The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) was established on January 1, 1979, by Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1978 (5 U.S.C. app.). The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 1101 note), which became effective on January 11, 1979, enlarged its functions and powers. Pursuant to provisions of the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 (5 U.S.C. 1211 et seq.), OSC functions as an independent investigative and prosecutorial agency within the executive branch which litigates before the Merit Systems Protection Board. The primary role of OSC is to protect employees, former employees, and applicants for employment from prohibited personnel practices, especially reprisal for whistleblowing. Its basic areas of statutory responsibility are: --receiving and investigating allegations of prohibited personnel practices and other activities prohibited by civil service law, rule, or regulation and, if warranted, initiating corrective or disciplinary action; --providing a secure channel through which information evidencing a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or substantial and specific danger to public health or safety may be disclosed without fear of retaliation and without disclosure of identity, except with the employee's consent; and --enforcing the provisions of the Hatch Act. Sources of Information Field offices are located in Dallas, TX (Room 7C30, 1100 Commerce Street, 75242; phone, 214-767-8871) and Oakland, CA (Suite 365S, 1301 Clay Street, 94612-5217; phone, 510-637-3460). For further information, contact the Office of Special Counsel, Suite 300, 1730 M Street NW., Washington, DC 20036-4505. Phone, 202-653-7188 or 800-872-9855 (toll-free). ------------------------------------------------------------------------