The Department of Justice inspector general has concluded
that a former contract linguist in the Federal Bureau of
Investigation was terminated after she reported security
breaches and other mismanagement in the agency’s
translation program.
According to an unclassified summary of the IG report,
Sibel Edmonds had “made allegations of travel voucher
fraud and time and attendance abuse,” and, “alleged that
the FBI had hired unqualified personnel and used one of
them to translate military interviews despite that
person’s weak language skills.”
The American Civil Liberties Union, which is representing
Edmonds in the matter, quoted her as saying that while
the government has begun to affirm her reports of abuse
and problems within the agency, the FBI has yet to
investigate thoroughly.
The IG report summary said many of her claims were
supported but “not taken seriously enough,” and that her
allegations were the “most significant factor,” in her
termination.
It also said, “the FBI seems to have discounted Edmonds’
allegations, believing she was a disruptive influence
and not credible, and eventually terminated her services.”