On July 20, 2018, Deputy Secretary Sullivan and Inspector General Linick sent the Department-wide email below:
The Deputy Secretary of State
Washington
Dear Colleagues,
Inspector General Linick and I strongly encourage you to take a moment to read the attached memorandum regarding whistleblowers. Whistleblowers perform a critically important service to the Department of State and to the public when they disclose fraud, waste, and abuse. The Department is committed to protecting all personnel against reprisal for whistleblowing.
The attached memorandum describes how to make a whistleblowing disclosure and the legal protections that exist for whistleblowers, including Foreign and Civil Service employees and employees of Department contractors and grantees. The memorandum also describes how to file a complaint if you believe you have been subject to improper retaliation.
The Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 requires Inspectors General to designate a Whistleblower Protection Ombudsman. Jeff McDermott has been designated as the Whistleblower Ombudsman for the Department. He is available to discuss the protections against retaliation and how to make a protected disclosure, but he cannot act as your legal representative or advocate. You may contact him at [email protected].
Remember that Department employees always have a right to communicate directly with OIG. The OIG hotline number is 800-409-9926, and the hotline website is https://oig.state.gov/hotline. OIG’s main website is https://oig.state.gov/.
Sincerely,
John J. Sullivan Steve A. Linick
Deputy Secretary of State Inspector General
Attachment: Whistleblower Information