An agency watchdog cleared a Department of Veteran Affairs' former IT leader of three misconduct allegations brought by the department's former chief information security officer, FedScoop reported July 5.
Six things to know:
- According to a report from the VA's Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, Joseph Stenaka, former executive director of information security operations in the VA's office of information and technology, was cleared of the three complaints filed against him by former CISO Paul Cunningham in October 2020.
- The complaints submitted against Mr. Stenaka suggested that he failed to follow supervisory instructions, that he demonstrated lack of candor in response to questions from his supervisor and that he made disrespectful statements about OIT senior leaders.
- The complaints were lodged against Mr. Stenaka a month after he raised concerns about contract negotiations between Mr. Cunningham and software company Splunk.
- Mr. Stenaka suggested Mr. Cunningham's relationship with Mark Jarek, the director of business development and strategy at Splunk, gave rise to inappropriate negotiations with the company.
- The U.S. Code prohibits personnel action against federal employees who disclose information in order to stop gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority or to highlight a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.
- The VA told FedScoop that Mr. Cunningham no longer works for the department and that the department does not comment on personnel matters.