Federal employment investigations are conducted by federal agencies to determine if disciplinary or adverse actions are necessary. If you are under investigation, you must cooperate and provide any information that is required. You should also obtain experienced legal assistance, as the security of your job could be at stake. Our federal employment attorneys in D.C. has guided hundreds of clients to successful legal solutions. We can analyze your situation and represent you from start to finish.
Common types of federal employment investigations include:
- Congressional conduct investigations
- Individual employee conduct investigations
- EEOC complaint investigations
Congressional Conduct Investigations
Congress has the power to perform investigations into federal agencies and employees. These investigations are often conducted by joint committees, standing committees, or special committees, and they can have serious consequences for the agency under scrutiny. Investigations can also be aimed at individuals, such as federal employees, politicians, and congressional staff members.
Grounds for congressional investigations may involve a variety of factors. These include breaches in security, misappropriation or improper use of congressional funds, allegations of misconduct or corruption, and legislative concerns. If you are under congressional investigation, our firm can provide knowledgeable legal advice to help protect your interests throughout the process.
Employee Conduct Investigations
If you are a federal employee and are accused of misconduct, a federal agency will begin an investigation. For criminal matters, you will be read the Miranda rights, and it is best to stay silent until you have spoken with an Attorneys. For general misconduct matters, you may receive either a Garrity warning, which allows you to refuse to answer questions, or the Kalkines warning, which will require you to answer questions.
Employee conduct investigations often arise due to:
- Lack of candor
- Insubordination
- Conduct unbecoming a federal employee
- AWOL or attendance issues
- Discrimination or harassment
- Improper use or misappropriation of funds
- Negligent actions
Once the investigation has begun, you will typically be interviewed by 2 qualified federal agents. These may include supervisors, agency investigators, and human resources managers. It is important to seek legal representation right away. Investigators may have you sign a statement that can be taken out of context, or that doesn’t truly reflect the facts of the situation. Our D.C. federal employment lawyer can work hard to protect your rights and help you make informed decisions regarding your case.
EEOC Complaint Investigations
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces federal laws regarding discrimination and harassment in federal workplaces. Under law, you can not be discriminated against for your race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, disability, nationality, age, color, or ethnicity. If an EEOC complaint is filed at a federal agency, the EEOC will conduct an investigation to determine the facts of the situation.
If you have been discriminated against, you may request an EEOC hearing with a judge, or file a personal lawsuit against the federal agency. Federal EEOC investigations take at least 180 days to go through the administrative complaint process, and they will determine if discriminatory adverse actions were taken against an employee. If discrimination is proven, the EEOC will enforce penalties on behalf of the person who filed the complaint. Depending on the situation, compensation for the discrimination may include back pay, damages, and other financial awards.
Dedicated to Upholding Your Rights in Federal Employment Investigations
Federal employment investigations can result in disciplinary action and other serious penalties. It is important to get diligent legal counsel as soon as possible. At The Law Firm of John P. Mahoney, Esq., Attorneys at Law, PLLC, our federal employment Attorneys in D.C. can discuss your options, build your case, and represent you to federal investigators. We have 30 years of experience, and have guided hundreds of clients through the federal investigation process.
Contact our firm today to schedule a phone consultation.
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