Critical Releases in Homeland Security: April 30, 2014

"Our objective was to assess: a) how, or if, substantiated investigations of misconduct were reported to Agency Clearance Adjudication Facilities (CAF) and to the DoD Consolidated Adjudication Facility (DODCAF); b) if the referred investigations had been adjudicated; and c) the results of those security adjudications." The report found that: "[1] There was a lack of effective personnel security policy. [2] There was a lack of effective record keeping. [3] There was an avoidance of personnel security adjudication for contractor personnel involved in misconduct. [4] There was a lack of personnel security information sharing. [5] There was a lack of connectivity between the Defense Central Index of Investigations (DCII) and the Joint Personnel Adjudicative System (JPAS)." Following these findings, the report offers recommendations for improvement for the respective agencies.

"After receiving numerous whistleblower allegations of misconduct by the Acting Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Charles Edwards, in early 2013, the Senate Subcommittee on Financial and Contracting Oversight staff initiated an investigation into these allegations in June 2013. As requested by Subcommittee Chairman Claire McCaskill and Subcommittee Ranking Member Ron Johnson, this staff report summarizes the findings of the Subcommittee's investigation. The Subcommittee investigated allegations that Mr. Edwards failed to uphold the independence of the DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG). The Subcommittee found that Mr. Edwards jeopardized the independence of the OIG. The Subcommittee reached this conclusion after considering related findings. These include Mr. Edwards' inadequate understanding of the importance of OIG independence and his frequent communications and personal friendships with senior DHS officials. Mr. Edwards did not obtain independent legal advice and directed reports to be altered or delayed to accommodate senior DHS officials. Mr. Edwards also did not recuse himself from audits and inspections that had a conflict of interest related to his wife's employment."