Federal Daily - January 15, 2009
DOJ Official Discriminated in Hiring
The former acting head of the Department of Justice (DOJ) civil rights division discriminated against liberal job applicants at the department, concluded an investigation detailed in a DOJ report released Jan. 13. According to the report by the DOJ Office of the Inspector General (IG) and Office of Professional Responsibility, the official, Bradley Schlozman, arranged for the hiring of lesser-qualified applicants based on their political ideology, violating both civil service laws and Justice Department policy. Overall, Schlozman urged the hiring of “real Americans,” apparently meaning conservatives, the report said. The report pointed to one e-mail, for example, in which Schlozman noted that a DOJ Criminal Section deputy “has recommended several other commies for permanent positions in [the section]. But as long as I’m here, adherents of Mao’s little red book need not apply.” Schlozman resigned from the DOJ in 2007. Investigators referred the case last year to federal prosecutors, who decided not to file charges against Schlozman. DOJ said in a statement that it has since changed its hiring practices. To see more, go to: http://www.usdoj.gov/oig/special/s0901/final.pdf
:: Back to Top ::
Army Announces Lease of 4,000 Electric Vehicles
Army Secretary Pete Geren on Jan. 12 announced the Army plans to lease 4,000 non-tactical electric vehicles over the next three years for use on Army bases as passenger transport and for security patrols or delivery services. It is the single largest acquisition of its kind, the Army said. The lease of the Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) is part of a larger strategy designed to save energy and money and to wean the Army from fossil fuels, the Army said. The Army plans to lease about 800 NEV this year; 1,600 more in 2010, and another 1,600 in 2011. The Army has received the first six NEV, which are manufactured by the Global Electric Motorcars division of Chrysler Corp. The six vehicles include a four-passenger sedan NEV model and a two-passenger NEV utility model with a stake bed and a 1,000 pound payload capability. With a full eight-hour charge, the NEVs can travel 30 miles at a top speed of 25 mph. To see more, go to: www.army.mil/-newsreleases/2009/01/12/15707-army-announces-historic-electric-vehicle-lease
:: Back to Top ::
Medicare Launches Health Record Pilot Program
Beneficiaries with original Medicare in Arizona and Utah will have a chance to maintain their own health record information electronically under a demonstration project, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Jan. 13. The Medicare Personal Health Record (PHR) Choice Pilot will allow beneficiaries to manage their own information. Also, Medicare has promised to add claims data directly to the PHRs that are created for this pilot project, CMS said. A PHR, which a consumer can use to keep track of information they need to manage their health and health care services, is different than an EHR, or electronic health record, which is owned by and under the control of the physician. A PHR will contain only data entered by the consumer, CMS said. To see more, go to: www.medicare.gov/phr
:: Back to Top ::
|
