FirstNet Authority Obstructed Audits, Punished Whistleblower, Says Inspector General
The office said the reports resulted in a change of leadership at FirstNet Authority.
WASHINGTON, August 29, 2025 – The Commerce Department’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) released two investigation summaries on Thursday saying the office had found senior FirstNet Authority officials worked to obstruct OIG audits and punished an employee for providing information to the office.
The office said it referred its findings on whistleblower retaliation to the Commerce department in January. The other report, on leadership obstructing audits, was referred to the department in April. That case did not result in any criminal prosecution, according to the office.
OIG said FirstNet Authority responded to the office’s findings earlier this month saying that “several individuals involved in the investigation are no longer employed by the Department and that appropriate counseling was provided to those who remain. FirstNet Authority also noted that new leadership is in place.”
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