Washington
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, is concerned that turnover among top officials at the Office of Inspector General could compromise the office's ability to police health care fraud, according to a spokeswoman for the senator.
After receiving “numerous allegations from several whistleblowers,” about significant personnel changes at the OIG since Inspector General Janet Rehnquist took office in Aug. 2001, Grassley asked the U.S. General Accounting Office to review the situation. According to the whistleblowers, Rehnquist has mandated involuntary retirements and reassignments for 19 senior-level staff members, including six long-time deputy inspectors, during her tenure at OIG.
“I can't overlook the loss of high-ranking government servants with decades of service who have performed their jobs well,” Grassley said Oct. 22. “My judgement of their performance is based on my observation and that of other senators, and that of the White House, over the years. I want the GAO to determine whether the loss or transfer of these key people will erode this office's performance.”
At press time, the GAO had not reported any findings concerning Grassley's request.
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