March 17, 2014

WSI SAYS ‘NO EVIDENCE OF INTENTIONAL WRONGDOING’ IN CHEATING SCANDAL

By ExchangeMonitor

Y-12 National Security Complex protective force contractor WSI-Oak Ridge said yesterday that it found “no evidence of intentional wrongdoing” after it investigated allegations that a supervisor attempted to help guards cheat on exams and inspections. Spokeswoman Courtney Henry said WSI responded Monday to an Aug. 31 “cure” notice from Y-12 contractor B&W Y-12 that, prompted by the cheating allegations that occurred in the wake of an unprecedented July 28 security breach at Y-12, notified WSI that it would terminate its contract for default if “actions are not taken to address all of the issues to date.” A DOE spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment, nor did B&W Y-12, which Henry said had not “reviewed or approved” WSI’s findings as of Monday.

Henry said that a “detailed and thorough” investigation by WSI cleared WSI officials of misconduct, revealing that a supervisor distributed copies of written tests prepared for Y-12’s guards by the Department of Energy’s Office of Health, Safety and Security believing it was a study guide. HSS officials found the materials in a WSI vehicle before the tests were administered. “The investigation concluded that there were a series of e-mails seeking comment on the factual accuracy of a proposed written examination that had been prepared for administration to selected members of the Protective Force,” Henry said in a statement. “The e-mail, along with the list of proposed questions, was reviewed by a Protective Force Supervisor who, thinking it was a study guide, sent it out to his employees.” Bill Eckroade, the principal deputy chief for Mission Support Operations at HSS and the head of the Y-12 investigation, said earlier this month that it was not clear how the tests were used, but he said “finding them in places they clearly are not supposed to be is an indicator they were used, or could have been used, inappropriately.” Because its testing materials were compromised, HSS had to generate new tests; the HSS inspection is ongoing. “The company remains focused on providing support for, and to concluding a safe and secure HSS inspection,” Henry said.

Protective force manager John Garrity, who was accused of distributing the tests, was “administratively reassigned” after the incident, and Henry said a decision on whether or not to reinstate Garrity will be made after WSI’s response is reviewed.

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