Ten out of fourteen Drug Enforcement Administration employees accused of sexual harassment and misconduct were given bonuses and time off in contravention of DEA policy.
The employees received the rewards “even though they had been subject to discipline for significant misconduct within three years” or were the subjects of ongoing inquiries, according to a report published Thursday by the Justice Department inspector general.
“DEA policy generally prohibits employees from receiving promotions, awards, or other favorable personnel actions for a period of 3 years after being subject to discipline for significant misconduct or while a misconduct investigation is pending, absent a specifically approved exception reflecting the basis for going forward,” the IG noted.
The allegations were laid out by the DOJ inspector general in a report published in March. That investigation detailed charges that fourteen DEA agents between 2005 and 2012 inappropriately partied and solicited sex, assaulted a sex worker, and accepted gifts from drug cartels they were charged with investigating.
After the publication of the March report, House Oversight Committee chair Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) asked the Justice Department watchdog “to determine whether any promotions, bonuses, awards, or new job assignments were given to the DEA personnel involved in the incidents described in our report.”
The department IG called on the DEA to ensure that its employees are aware of the administration’s own awards policies and to verify the integrity of some approved bonuses. The DEA concurred with the recommendations.
Read the IG report here.
