February 16, 2024
Whistleblowers Disclose CBP Leadership Undermined Medical Oversight
Washington – Today, we announced our representation of several whistleblowers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Loyal Source Government Services, CBP’s medical services contractor. These current and former employees have courageously stepped forward to report knowledge and inaction on the part of CBP leadership of significant failures of both Loyal Source and of CBP’s contract oversight, as well as wrongdoing by current acting leadership of the CBP Office of the Chief Medical Officer (OCMO).
The whistleblowers approached our organization after Mr. Troy Hendrickson, a former Contract Officer Representative for CBP OCMO, sent a whistleblower disclosure to Congress and oversight entities detailing his and his former OCMO colleagues’ attempts to raise concerns about CBP’s insufficient contracting oversight of Loyal Source’s performance deficiencies prior to the preventable May 2023 death of 8-year-old Anadith Reyes-Alvarez.
Specifically, the whistleblowing disclosure we sent to Congress and other federal oversight entities today includes:
- Details of CBP leadership’s knowledge of Loyal Source’s failures and efforts to bury the truth surrounding the death of Anadith Reyes-Alvarez;
- Inappropriate and unlawful actions taken by Acting CBP CMO Dr. Alexander Eastman, including attempts to change CBP narcotics policy to procure fentanyl lollipops, a medical cover-up, inappropriate use of contractors, and gross waste of funds; and
- Validation of Mr. Hendrickson’s public disclosures regarding performance failures of Loyal Source including staffing shortages, delays in background checks, contractors working without proper clearance, lack of medical supplies, failure to use the Electronic Medical Records system, sexual harassment, and improper medical care.
“It is a relief to see others corroborate the concerns I raised,” said Mr. Hendrickson, whose early warnings resulted in his retaliatory removal from OCMO. “The preventable death of a child and the bureaucratic intransigence by CBP leadership highlight a disturbing disregard for human life and the medical mission within CBP. These issues must be addressed immediately to save lives and safeguard taxpayer dollars.”
Our Immigration Counsel, Andrea Meza, said: “These whistleblowers reveal systemic failures that endanger people’s lives and waste millions of taxpayer dollars. Government overseers must take immediate action to address these urgent concerns and ensure accountability within CBP and its contractors.”
We urge Congress, the Office of the Special Counsel, and other oversight entities to conduct thorough investigations into these whistleblowers’ disclosures. We also ask that Congress remind CBP of whistleblowers’ legal rights and protections and to ensure that individuals contributing to these investigations are shielded from retaliation.
Contact: Mary Allain, Interim Communications Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 926-3304
Government Accountability Project
Government Accountability Project is the nation’s leading whistleblower protection organization. Through litigating whistleblower cases, publicizing concerns and developing legal reforms, Government Accountability Project’s mission is to protect the public interest by promoting government and corporate accountability. Founded in 1977, Government Accountability Project is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.
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