Issa Subpoenas Security Clearance Documents

WASHINGTON – House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., today announced that he has subpoenaed Office of Personnel Management Director Katherine Archuleta for documents the Committee is seeking in its investigation into the federal security clearance process.

“As the clearinghouse for the federal security clearance process, the Office of Personnel Management has a responsibility to present a complete picture of all subjects who are being adjudicated for a security clearance,” said Chairman Issa. “In regards to the Washington Navy Yard shooter, OPM failed to provide adequate documentation to the Navy, including an arrest record—easily obtained by Committee investigators—that showed he discharged a weapon in public and behaved erratically.”

“We have already uncovered evidence that suggests this may not have been an isolated incident,” Issa continued, referring to material discovered by Committee investigators during an in camera review.

A November 20^th letter to the agency noted an OPM training presentation reviewed in camera by Committee staffers that discusses “how to complete a thirty day caseload in less than thirty days” and advises investigators to exert less than a full effort to obtain pertinent law enforcement records.

The Committee sought first sought documents from OPM in an October 9th letter signed by Chairman Issa, Full Committee Ranking Member Elijah Cummings, D-Md., Federal Workforce Subcommittee Chairman Blake Farenthold, R-Texas, and Federal Workforce Subcommittee Ranking Member Stephen Lynch, D-Mass. Chairman Issa sent follow up letters on November 5^th and November 14^th.

“Issuing this subpoena became necessary after OPM’s continued refusal to produce relevant documents,” Issa said.

Issa continued: “The Committee will work to close gaps that exist within the federal security clearance process. OPM’s unwillingness to supply relevant documentation to the Committee hinders our ability to address problems, and raises questions about its commitment to do the same.”

The subpoena seeks:

• All documents referring or relating to training or training guidelines for Office of Personnel Management (OPM) investigators or contract investigators, including, but not limited to, any handbook or checklist.
• All documents and communications referring or relating to the criteria for performance appraisals for OPM investigators or contract investigators who conduct security clearance investigations or adjudications.
• All documents and communications referring or relating to the process or guidelines for reviewing security clearance decisions.
• All contracts between OPM and U.S. Investigations Services, LLC.
• All contracts between OPM and CACI International Inc. relating to security clearances.
• All contracts between OPM and Keypoint Government Solutions, Inc.
• All documents that identify OPM employees or contractors who serve as quality reviewers for the security clearance process.