SEC headquarters in Washington DC. Comer said use of the IPA raises concerns about employee qualifications, conflicts of interest, and continuity of operations. Image: Andriy Blokhin/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffThe chair of the House Oversight and Accountability has asked the SEC for information on its use of Intergovernmental Personnel Act appointments, especially to fill more senior positions and for extended periods.
Under that authority, agencies may bring in employees from state and local governments, institutions of higher education, Indian tribal governments and other eligible organizations for temporary assignments; federal employees may similarly be temporarily assigned to such entities in return. However, Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., said that the SEC’s use of that authority “raises concerns about employee qualifications, conflicts of interest, and continuity of operations within the Commission.”
“The goal of the IPA is to facilitate the movements of employees for short periods of time,” he wrote, listing four senior officials on such assignments dating to early 2021 who remain listed by the agency according to their former positions with universities.
“The SEC’s hirings appear to undermine the IPA, raising concerns that the SEC is using the IPA to avoid normal federal hiring practices and circumvent federal wage restrictions. Additionally, these hirings raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest for individuals who maintain their prior employment relationships,” he wrote.
He asked the agency for information on individuals working there under IPA assignments, any outside employment they conduct, the costs to the SEC including compensation and other expenses, and more.
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