| buundoggle@hotmail.com 2006-10-18, 4:26 pm |
| http://energycommerce.house.gov/108...102003_1022.htm
>
> Committee Expands Investigation Of NIH Management Issues
>
> July 10, 2003
>
> The Honorable Elias Zerhouni, M.D.
> Director
> National Institutes of Health
> 9000 Rockville Pike
> Bethesda, MD 20892
>
> Dear Dr. Zerhouni:
>
> We are writing in furtherance of the Committee's investigations into
> continuing management concerns and alleged financial waste and abuse at
> the National Institutes of Health (NIH). On June 26, 2003, CBS Evening
> News aired a story about Dr. Edward McSweegan, a NIH microbiologist,
> who alleges that he has no true tasks or responsibilities in his
> current position reflective of the estimated $100,000 annual salary he
> receives. He claims that he was removed from his position as NIH's
> program officer for Lyme disease in June 1995 due to his criticism of a
> Lyme disease support group, and subsequently lost control over all the
> grants that he administered. The Washington Post also reported the
> story on July 4, 2003.
>
> Dr. McSweegan claims that he is paid to perform tasks that one would
> ordinarily delegate to an intern, such as arranging coffee for lunches
> and forwarding messages. However, the NIH reportedly states that Dr.
> McSweegan is the Director of the U.S.-Indo Vaccine Action Program, and
> in this capacity traveled outside of the country representing the
> agency. This title is apparently news to Dr. McSweegan, who says that
> he was not aware it. The NIH states he produced reports and other work
> products in this position. According to Dr. McSweegan, he struggles to
> fill his eight-hour workdays by reading, exercising and writing
> fiction.
>
> Based on these reports, and the Committee's continuing interest in
> concerns about whether NIH is wisely managing both its employees and
> its increased financial resources, we are initiating an examination of
> the allegations made by Dr. McSweegan and broader issues arising
> possibly from his allegations. Pursuant to Rules X and XI or the U.S.
> House of Representatives, please provide the following information by
> July 24, 2003:
>
> 1.
>
> All personnel records relating to Dr. McSweegan including but not
> limited to employment reviews, disciplinary proceedings, salary reviews
> and travel-related paperwork.
> 2.
>
> All records relating to Dr. McSweegan's removal from the position
> of Program Officer for Lyme disease.
> 3.
>
> All records relating to any and all positions held by Dr.
> McSweegan after leaving the position of program officer for Lyme
> disease, including but not limited to the mission statement, daily
> responsibilities, direct reports, salary, GS levels, evaluations and
> his immediate supervisor in each position.
> 4.
>
> All records relating to all of Dr. McSweegan's job-related travel
> in his current position as U.S.-Indo Vaccine Action Program, including
> but not limited to any documents regarding the justification for the
> travel, itineraries, who financed the travel, reports or memoranda
> generated as a result of the travel, and any follow-up done on the
> issues that were the justification for the travel.
> 5.
>
> A matrix of all NIH scientists or administrative officer
> employees who have been transferred from an NIH intramural program to
> an NIH extramural program, and NIH officials who have administered
> research grants and had all those grants transferred to other
> employees. The matrix should cover the period from January 1, 1998 to
> the present. Include in the matrix the employee's name, job titles,
> dates of participation, description of projects, qualifications for
> participation in each project and reason for the transfer.
>
> We also request that you share this letter with all NIH employees to
> ensure that they are aware of this Committee's interest in these
> particular allegations and to provide them with contact information for
> our staff if any NIH employee wishes to make allegations similar to
> those of Dr. McSweegan.
>
> Please note that, for the purpose of responding to these requests, the
> terms "records" and "relating" should be interpreted in accordance with
> the attachment to this letter. In addition, we are requesting that
> following production of the records to the Committee, you make
> available NIH employees for Committee staff interviews as requested by
> Committee staff.
>
> Thank you for your assistance. If you have any questions, please
> contact Ann Washington of the Majority Committee staff at (202)
> 226-2424.
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
> W.J. "Billy" Tauzin
> Chairman
>
> James C. Greenwood
> Chairman, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
>
> cc:
>
> John D. Dingell, Ranking Member
>
> Peter Deutsch, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Oversight and
> Investigations
>
> # # #
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