Email Misfire Provides Inside Look at FAMS

In what appears to be an example of the excruciating mistake of sending an email reply to the wrong person, POGO just got an unexpected glance inside the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS).

It all began when Richard Hoskins--a former FAMS Security Assistant whose experience we highlighted in our recent report, Breaking the Sound Barrier: Experiences of Air Marshals Confirm Need for Reform at the OSC--sent FAMS Director Robert Bray an email requesting that Bray work with air marshals who have filed formal and informal complaints against FAMS and who are interested in getting rehired.

Shortly thereafter, Hoskins received an email from FAMS Deputy Director Robert Byers, apparently intended for Bray, in which Byers states his preference to insulate Bray from any contact with federal air marshals.  This is troubling, especially since Byers had developed a reputation through his work with former FAMS Director Quinn as a dedicated whistleblower retaliation coordinator.

Realizing his mistake, Byers sort of apologized to Hoskins, but did not address the more disturbing question of why he is providing a filter for Bray, who has publicly spoken out about his efforts to dialogue with air marshals as a way to strengthen FAMS.

“When I accidentally received an email reply from Bob Byers in response to my email to Director Bray the first thought that came to me was 'It is a shame that Senior Management feels the need to insulate the Director from a systemic problem,'" Hoskins told POGO in an email.

Hoskins also identified other problems at FAMS based on Byers's email response: “If the Director is not responsible for providing Strategical and Operational direction for EEO [Equal Employment Opportunity] or other personnel matters who is?”  He said it is clear that an agency head like Bray has responsibilities for ensuring compliance with EEO.  In addition, Hoskins said he is concerned that Bray is taking a different route than former Director Dana Brown, who was recognized for his aggressive efforts to engage and follow through with air marshal concerns.

With similar concerns in mind, P. Jeffrey Black, a federal air marshal from the Las Vegas field office, wrote to POGO in an email: “We were hopeful that Director Bray was sincere in his recent statement to the workforce that he wanted to openly embrace whistleblowers like Mr. Hoskins who root out misconduct and corruption in the agency, but it now appears that is not the case, and its business as usual in the Federal Air Marshal Service.”

Last week, POGO wrote to Bray regarding FAMS's treatment of whistleblowers.  We outlined a number of actions that Bray could take to “demonstrate that [he] will protect dissenting voices, thus encouraging air marshals to come forward with crucial information.”  We have not yet heard back from Bray, but we are discouraged by what appears to be an effort at FAMS to create a firewall around the Director in order to prevent air marshals from making contact.

-- Ingrid Drake

Comments

[Lessons Learned]

Maybe we should talk about all those secret settlement of complaints with PUBLIC MONIES..........

[Lessons Learned]

Dan Mazza,

Why do you only see a few names, I beleive that shows how bad the retaliation is, other FAMS have seen these few stoned and persecuted for standing up for what is right! Have you heard of the no fear act? Do you know less than 70% of the workforce know their rights? Do you know over 1500 OLE/FAM Employees are disatisfied with the service?

I can assure you these few speak for many, do you know how many court cases are pending against this agency and the managers and how many have been settled to hush the problems? Please do your homework before you speak such absurd comments.

One must ask what have you seen? A staged visit to an office like they perform when politicians and others are invited and SSI is shown on national TV?

These few would love to get on with their lives, but they will not allow fault on their rights that many have fought to protect, and the very ones they agreed to protect when they taken their oath of office.

GOD BLESS YOU!

[Shawn]

FAM's have a direct sight to write the Director about questions and issues - YOU NEVER GET A REPLY. I NOW ASSUME the DIRECTOR never even reads our concerns

[LF]

A very small group of disgruntled employees, eh? Maybe we can have a discussion about unfair labor practices(e.g. LEAP lawsuit judgement that went against FAMS). This message board was just brought to my and my colleagues' attention. Maybe now you will see someone other than the same names. "From what I've seen," is a statement made by people who have seen very little. Tell you what; we'll get on with our lives that involve protecting you, and you get on with yours as the sheep that you are.

[Nose Dive]

Why do we always see the same management names involved in the FAMS problem areas? It seems to me that this is a very small group of disgruntled former Secret Service cronies that need to move on. From what I've seen, the agency has been run into the ground. These guys need to get on with their lives.

[HQ FAM]

Let's take a look at some of the key words used in Byers' e-mail:

COVER
verb [ trans. ]
• take precautionary measures so as to protect oneself against future blame or liability
• disguise a fact of (something) with another action
• disguise the illicit absence or wrongdoing of (someone) in order to spare them punishment

INSULATE
verb [ trans. ]
• to protect from the unpleasant effects or elements of something

CRAFT
noun
• skill used in deceiving others

[JJ]

One thing that is clear about FAMS management is that integrity, honor and selfless service are only punch lines used by FAM managers to justify their existence. They lie, cheat, steal and destroy the careers of those who attempt to hold them accountable for their actions. Tom Quinn is the prime example. Quinn should be in prison for his actions as a FAMS manager. Yet, he is protected by the same people who continue the same actions he took. As far as disgruntled employees go, why shouldn't the average American, like the men and women who make up the workforce, be disgruntled over being financially raped? Tax payers deserve honesty not thievery. For FAMS managers, greed not service, is the primary mission.

[ZD]

Mr. Mazza, your statement that this agency runs very well is prima facia evidence that you don't work for the FAMS.

Byer's has always been a tool and hatchet man and needs to be sent packing back home to collect his Secret Service pension. In fact, most of our DC admin (about 95% Secret Service cronies) need to get off the FAMS gravy train they've created for themselves, move on and let this agency get on track. The culture of cronyism and ineptitude they represent isn't needed in such a vital mission as the one in the FAMS.

Those same voices will be crying out in the wilderness until things are fixed, I'm quite sure.

[Dan Mazza]

Why do we always see the same names involved in the FAMS problem areas? It seems to me that this is a very small group of disgruntled employees that need to move on. From what I've seen, the agency runs very well. These guys need to get on with their lives.