Representing Federal Employees in Administrative Investigations
The attorneys of Gilbert Employment Law, P.C. are experienced in representing federal employees in various forms of administrative investigations. Many of these investigations carry the risk of disciplinary action based on the results of these investigations. When your career is on the line, entrust Gilbert Employment Law, P.C., to secure your legal rights. Since 2005, our law firm has advocated for federal employees subject to OIG and other investigations. We understand the emotional drain you might feel when facing an OIG or other investigation. We will apply our years of experience and legal skills to help level the playing field against you. Contact our law firm today to meet with a highly skilled federal employment law attorney.
Representing Federal Employees Facing Inspector General Investigations
Throughout the federal government, the Offices of Inspector General investigate alleged wrongdoing by federal employees such as:
- Office property theft
- Computer fraud
- Time and attendance fraud
- Illegal or improper use of the government’s resources
- Improper disclosure of contracting information to contractors
- Hiring and other personnel irregularities
If you are under investigation by the OIG, you generally have a right to have an attorney present. Our law firm’s federal employment law attorneys are available to make sure you are not coerced or bullied during the investigation. When you select our law firm, we will stand by your side when questioned by federal authorities, and help prepare you for your testimony in the investigation. We will help defend you from you trapped into providing the wrong information based on poorly phrased or vague questions, and help protect you from giving answers that might escalate an administrative investigation into a criminal prosecution.
Our federal attorneys will take time to understand the nature of your job. We understand you may feel overwhelmed when under investigation. We will help you be as accurate as possible when explaining your job and answering their questions. Our federal attorneys will also counsel you when questions become harassing or threatening.
We will apply our intricate understanding of federal employment law focused on putting you in the best light possible. Our law firm is committed to protecting your employment rights while mitigating the potential for any disciplinary action.
Representing Federal Employees in Hatch Act Investigations
In addition to offering representation in security clearance matters and OIG Investigations, Gilbert Employment Law, P.C. also represents federal employees under investigation by the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) in Hatch Act matters. In addition to their better-known jurisdiction over whistleblower reprisal claims, OSC also investigate cases where a federal employee is accused of violating the Hatch Act, the federal statute which restricts federal employees from running for partisan political office or using their position as a federal employee to support candidates for contested political elections. If OSC finds that a possible Hatch Act violation has occurred, it can prosecute before the Merit Systems Protection Board, seeking penalties up to removal, debarment from federal employment for 5 years and a $1,000 fine.
If you are under investigation for a possible Hatch Act violation, you have a right to legal representation. The attorneys of Gilbert Employment Law, P.C. can help prepare you to testify in the investigation, helping you prepare your factual argument and providing legal argument in your defense. Our firm will help you present your case in the best possible light, and hopefully reduce your chances of facing Hatch Act prosecution.
Ethics Advice and Representing Federal Employees in Federal Employee Ethics Investigations
The ethics rules for federal employees are often complex. Gilbert Employment Law, P.C. attorney have experience in advising employees on issues of government ethics. Our firm is also experienced in offering representation in ethics investigations by the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) and by agency ethics offices. Employees found to have engaged in ethics violations are at risk of disciplinary action based on the results of these investigations, and so it is important to carefully prepare testimony to help employees navigate these investigations.
It is important to seek legal advice if you are under investigation ethics violation, or if you are seeking advice on a possible challenge you face under the government ethics regulations. Before an ethics investigation occurs, our firm can provide you confidential independent advice to help you decide how to address your ethics concerns. If an investigation is underway, the attorneys of Gilbert Employment Law, P.C. can help prepare you to testify in the investigation, helping you prepare your factual argument and providing legal argument in your defense. Our firm will help you present your case in the best possible light, and hopefully reduce your chances of being found to have violated the ethics regulations.
Representation in Other Administrative Investigations
Agencies often will conduct other investigations which potential negative consequences for employees. For example, agencies will sometimes conduct administrative investigations as a precursor to proposing or imposing disciplinary action against an employee. Testimony in these investigations sets the stage for the later potential disciplinary battle, making representation in these administrative investigations the first line of defense to possible discipline. Agencies will also conduct antiharassment or workplace climate/hostile work environment investigations, either as part of the agency’s defense to an ongoing EEO harassment complaint or as a possible prelude to later disciplinary action based on allegations of harassing coworkers. The attorneys of Gilbert Employment Law, P.C. are also experienced in representing employees in these investigations as well.
Contact Our Administrative Investigation Lawyers
If you are under investigation, contact us online or call 888-676-8096. Clients in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia are welcome to schedule a consultation at our law office located near Washington, D.C. We also offer long-distance consultations for federal employees nationwide and abroad.