Homeland Security Inspector General John Roth allowed the Secret Service to work with his staff in investigating how derogatory information about a congressman was leaked from Secret Service files. The practice not only compromised the integrity of the investigation but could act as a deterrent for whistleblowers in the agency. ((The Washington Post, September 28, 2015, by Jerry Markon)
With the Secret Service sitting in on staff interviews, Homeland Security was unable to find the persons who leaked information about Congressman Jason Chaffetz, a critic of the Secret Service. The information released about Chaffetz concerned his failed application for a job in the Secret Service. (The Post and Courier, October 6, 2015)
POGO is concerned that Roth’s investigation was focused on plugging leaks rather than on misconduct as it questioned Secret Service workers who gave information to the media on other issues in the past. The focus could end up hurting transparency as whistleblowers retreat into the closet. (Project on Government Oversight, October 6, 2015, by Daniel Van Schooten)