Personnel Practices: Conversions of Employees from Political to Career Positions May 2005-May 2009

OPM, in a December 16, 2010, letter to GAO, indicated that it has reviewed each of the 5 cases we forwarded to them to determine whether the agencies involved followed appropriate authorities and procedures. In 2 cases, OPM found that two Schedule C political appointees were converted improperly to career competitive service positions and has referred both cases to the US Office of Special Counsel for investigation of possible prohibited personnel practices. In another case, OPM found flaws in the way Treasury assessed candidates for the position but found nothing to suggest that the agency manipulated the hiring process to benefit the appointee or that partisan politics played a role in the appointment. OPM has advised Treasury to review its assessment practices and make needed improvements. In another case, OPM found that Veterans' Affairs (VA) used the wrong veterans' appointing authority, but again found no evidence that the agency manipulated the hiring process to benefit the appointee or that partisan politics played a role in the appointment. VA subsequently properly appointed the individual to a different competitive service position. In the final case, OPM found that the appointment adhered to merit system principles and was free of political influence. OPM provided GAO copies of the decision letters sent to the respective agencies.