Fed agencies spied on employees

"According to government records, the FDA, DEA and VA within the last five years all bought software from SpectorSoft Corp., a Vero Beach, Fla.-based company that on its website describes itself as providing 'PC/Internet monitoring and surveillance products' for users including the government."

Employee surveillance raises concerns for whistleblowers, but Bob Walsh—a friend of this site—has been telling veterans' advocates and other attorneys for years that the VA spies on VA employees and attorneys representing veterans who believe their objectives and goals are helping veterans rightfully obtain benefits.

Walsh is a a former VA staff attorney (1990-92), Army veteran and now veterans' advocate.

A piece just out by Jenna Greene and Todd Ruger at the National Law Journal reports "Government-contract records show that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (V.A.) purchased spy software from the same company that supplied the FDA's computer monitoring program, according to the database USAspending.gov."

Alerted to the Greene-Ruger piece, attorney Walsh said, "Not only did VA purchase the (SpectorSoft) software, they used it. On two occasions I busted VA streaming my emails. I have every confidence that I was not the only victim of this illegal surveillance. The VA conducts illegal electronic surveillance as well as they process disability claims. Which is with total ineptitude. So I have confirmation that they were doing it, and Greene and Ruger are shining some light in the corners so the rats will run."

By Jenna Greene and Todd Ruger at the National Law Journal

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is under fire by Congress for monitoring the personal email accounts of agency scientists, but government-contract records show it's not the only agency that's taken steps to spy on its workers.

Government-contract records show that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (V.A.) purchased spy software from the same company that supplied the FDA's computer monitoring program, according to the database USAspending.gov.