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Whistleblower Ombudsman

Federal law prohibits NASA managers from retaliating against employees who provide information they reasonably believe evidences:

  • a violation of any law, rule, or regulation;
  • gross mismanagement;
  • a gross waste of funds;
  • an abuse of authority;
  • or a substantial and specific danger to public health and safety.

An Agency official’s threat to take, propose, or not take a personnel action because of whistleblowing activities constitutes a prohibited personnel practice. You are protected if you make a whistleblower disclosure to the Office of Special Counsel, the NASA Inspector General, or an Agency supervisor.

You are also protected if you make such a disclosure to other individuals or organizations, such as a congressional committee or the media, provided that the disclosure is not specifically prohibited by law and the information does not have to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign affairs.

If you have questions about whistleblower rights and remedies, please contact Frank LaRocca, the NASA Whistleblower Ombudsman (who also serves as Counsel to the NASA Inspector General) at (202) 358-2575 or by e-mail at HQ-OIG-Counsel@mail.nasa.gov.