This document provides an overview of strategies for representing whistleblowers in the federal government. It summarizes protections under 2302(b)(8) and (b)(9), expansions made by the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, and uncapped compensatory damages. It also discusses key procedural issues like election of remedies, the burden of proof, exhaustion of remedies, and all-circuit review. The document outlines the processes for filing a claim at the Office of Special Counsel, OSC investigations, and litigating an appeal at the Merit Systems Protection Board.

1. Strategies For RepresentingStrategies For Representing
Whistleblowers In The FederalWhistleblowers In The Federal
GovernmentGovernment

2. MacLean v. DHSMacLean v. DHS
VICTORY!VICTORY!

3. Overview of 2302(b)(8)Overview of 2302(b)(8)
and (b)(9)and (b)(9)
 2302(b)(8) protected conduct2302(b)(8) protected conduct
 2302(b)(9) protected conduct2302(b)(9) protected conduct
 WPEA expansion of protectedWPEA expansion of protected
conductconduct
 Uncapped compensatoryUncapped compensatory
damagesdamages

4. WPEA RetroactivityWPEA Retroactivity
 Nasuti v. Dep’t of StateNasuti v. Dep’t of State, 2014 MSPB, 2014 MSPB
12 (2014)12 (2014)
– Section 101 (defining the scope ofSection 101 (defining the scope of
protected conduct) applies retroactivelyprotected conduct) applies retroactively
 King v. Dept. of the Air ForceKing v. Dept. of the Air Force, 2013, 2013
MSPB 62MSPB 62
– Compensatory damages provision notCompensatory damages provision not
retroactiveretroactive

5. Limitation on WPEALimitation on WPEA
Protected ConductProtected Conduct
 Webb v. Department of the InteriorWebb v. Department of the Interior,,
2015 MSPB 6 (2015)2015 MSPB 6 (2015)
– general policy disagreements with agencygeneral policy disagreements with agency
decisions or actions do not constitutedecisions or actions do not constitute
protected disclosures unless disclosureprotected disclosures unless disclosure
evidences one of the categories ofevidences one of the categories of
WPEA-protected wrongdoingWPEA-protected wrongdoing

6. Key Procedural IssuesKey Procedural Issues
 5 USC 7121 election of remedies5 USC 7121 election of remedies
– Must be knowing and informed.Must be knowing and informed. Agoranos v.Agoranos v.
Dept. of JusticeDept. of Justice, 2013 MSPB 41 (2013), 2013 MSPB 41 (2013)
 IRA option for (b)(8) and some (b)(9) claimsIRA option for (b)(8) and some (b)(9) claims
 Burden of proof andBurden of proof and Whitmore v. DOL,Whitmore v. DOL,
680 F.3d 1353 (Fed. Cir. 2012).680 F.3d 1353 (Fed. Cir. 2012).
 Exhaustion of remediesExhaustion of remedies
 All-Circuit ReviewAll-Circuit Review

7. Filing a WhistleblowerFiling a Whistleblower
Claim at OSCClaim at OSC
 No statute of limitationsNo statute of limitations
 Mechanics of filingMechanics of filing
 Requesting a stayRequesting a stay
 Deferral to pending EEO investigationDeferral to pending EEO investigation
or MSPB appealor MSPB appeal
 OSC process to determine whether toOSC process to determine whether to
refer a case for further investigationrefer a case for further investigation

8. OSC InvestigationsOSC Investigations
 OSC Investigatory ProcessOSC Investigatory Process
 Rebutting agency positionRebutting agency position
 Corrective Action
 Disciplinary Action
 Remedies at OSC
 Mediation at OSCMediation at OSC

9. Litigating IRA Appeals atLitigating IRA Appeals at
the MSPBthe MSPB
 Establishing jurisdictionEstablishing jurisdiction
 Requesting a stay from the BoardRequesting a stay from the Board
 DiscoveryDiscovery
 HearingsHearings
 Practice TipsPractice Tips

10. Litigating IRA Appeals atLitigating IRA Appeals at
the MSPBthe MSPB
 Establishing jurisdictionEstablishing jurisdiction
 Requesting a stay from the BoardRequesting a stay from the Board
 DiscoveryDiscovery
 HearingsHearings
 Practice TipsPractice Tips