WP: At State, Some Employees Languish in Security Limbo (another purge?)

[DeepModem Mom]

This article has been posted in Editorials and other Articles by TorchesandPitchforks, who thought its content might be similar to General Byrne's being relieved from his command. In light of that, I'm reposting it here, thinking it may be LBN.

(TandP's original post:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=103&topic_id=147109&mesg_id=147109)


At State, Some Employees Languish in Security Limbo
By Stephen Barr
Sunday, August 14, 2005; Page C02

There are about 40 of them -- ghost employees of the State Department. They have had their security clearances suspended and are under investigation until officials decide whether to revoke or restore them.

Some of the employees are Foreign Service officers with decades of experience. They say they have been waiting for as long as two and three years for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, which investigates possible security risks, to make decisions in their cases.

Daniel Hirsch , one of the diplomats with a suspended clearance, was recalled to Washington from a Central Asian nation after his wife sought marital counseling. He has been in limbo, as he called it in an interview, for more than two years. Hirsch has retained his salary and, he said, performs "some light duties" in an office "with a lovely view of the Capitol dome."

Bill Savich , whose case has been pending for two years, was recalled from a "critical threat" nation after allegations were made that he had an improper relationship with a local woman. He denied the charge and said senior officials in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security will not respond to his requests for a ruling in his case.

Another diplomat, a 21-year veteran recognized for heroism in the 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, was accused in 2003 of making a sexual pass at a guard. He denied the allegation but was recalled and has worked in nonsensitive jobs since. The diplomat is gay and said he disclosed his sexual orientation to the department in 1988 to allay the risk of blackmail. He spoke on condition that he not be identified....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/13/AR2005081301050.html

[jsamuel]

1. why revoke security clearances for sex charges? Why not suspend or fire?

something doesn't add up here either...

[wli]

2. coverups, of course n/t