Pentagon personnel chief investigated for ‘tyrannical’ leadership
Megan Scully – (GovExec) – August 19, 2011 – The Pentagon inspector general is investigating Clifford Stanley, the official charged with overseeing the Defense Department’s massive personnel bureaucracy, after a spate of highly detailed allegations of gross mismanagement and abuse of power. He’s accused of firing respected senior staff, neglecting programs for wounded troops, and using limited funds on expensive consultants and a lavish new conference room.

Senior civilian and military officials filed at least four separate complaints with the IG’s office and to Capitol Hill since May, alleging that Stanley, the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, has hurt the military’s ability to deliver crucial services to troops and their families. Stanley, a retired two-star Marine Corps general, has been on the job since February 2010.

Stanley did not respond to email and phone messages seeking comment for this article. Pentagon spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said “the department is aware of the allegations and takes them seriously.” She added, “As a matter of policy, the DoDIG does not confirm or deny the existence of, or comment upon investigations or investigative issues.”

In the complaints, four of which were obtained by National Journal, Stanley is portrayed as vindictive, wasteful, and unfit for service. The officials charge in their complaints that he has largely ignored pervasive problems such as sexual assault and the rising rates of suicides among military personnel. Other senior officials outside Stanley’s office have stepped in to handle some of his core responsibilities, according to a July 11 complaint filed by unidentified senior civilians and military personnel. (Click HERE for article)

FOIA Friday: Audit of Texas Prison Factory That Made Flawed Army Combat Helmets
Andre Francisco – (POGO) – August 19, 2011 – In May of last year, the Army recalled 44,000 combat helmets after the discovery of a paint problem led to tests that showed the helmets failed when hit with multiple gunshots from a specific angle. Inmates from a federal prison in Beaumont, Texas helped make the helmets while working for UNICOR Inc., also known as Federal Prison Industries, Inc., a wholly-owned government corporation. As of 2010, UNICOR employed nearly 16,000 inmates who received pay of 23 cents to $1.15 per hour, according to its website. UNICOR only sells products to the federal government, mostly to the Department of Defense.

(Read the rest of the story here…)