Security manager sues LANL
Lawsuit cites retaliation, discrimination after complaint
October 15, 2013
By T.S. Last
Journal Northern Bureau
SANTA FE — A Los Alamos National Laboratory employee is suing the lab in federal court, alleging that he was subject to retaliation and discrimination after he complained to superiors about breaches in security protocols during VIP visits.
Michael Irving, described in the lawsuit as a security program leader/manager for LANL’s director’s office, says he was removed from his security oversight role with regard to VIP visits and placed in a position two levels lower in authority than his previous job.
According to the lawsuit, Irving became aware during the spring and summer of 2011 that security protocols at LANL were not being followed during VIP visits to the lab and made several complaints to his superiors about it.
The suit alleges that he was labeled as a “malcontent” and “troublemaker” by his superior, who told him he would not be considered for promotion.
Irving, who began working at LANL in 1997, was later reassigned to a position with less authority and a change in duties “under the guise of a reorganization of security personnel at LANL.”
He has since been “isolated and prevented from managing his former projects and personnel,” and “denied participating in some of his prior duties.” The suit says Irving was made subordinate to someone younger and with less experience, and that his opportunities for advancement are now limited.
The lawsuit states that Irving had a legal right to complain about violations in security protocols with regard to the safety of nuclear weapon materials and report discriminatory conduct in the workplace. Instead, the lawsuit alleges that he has suffered lost wages and benefits, significantly decreased his chances to be promoted and has undergone treatment for emotional distress as a result of retaliatory actions.
It also alleges that Irving has been subjected to a hostile work environment and was discriminated against on the basis of his age in violation of the New Mexico Human Rights Act.
The lawsuit was filed in Albuquerque federal court Wednesday by attorney Donald Gilpin, who did not return a phone message from the Journal on Monday. Comment was also unavailable from LANL’s public information office.
http://www.abqjournal.com/282007/north/lanl-security-manager-claims-retaliation.html
Comments
Mike did not "enforce" anything except DOE/NNSA rules for handling security incidents. I can assure you he was following the existing regulations precisely. His position was one of the first in the LANL "deployed security" model, and his performance was exemplary. He deals only with facts, and any claims without supporting evidence are not "facts" until proven. He is known as a champion of the scientists' need for openness, transparency, and clear rules and procedures, so much so that he often pissed off his superiors in the Security Division. If he is now blowing a whistle, I for one believe him.
October 20, 2013 at 5:29 AM
Wrong.
October 21, 2013 at 5:41 AM
In order to be convicted, you have to be charged with and guilty of a crime. It is not a crime to be an arrogant dumbass who thinks the rules don't apply to you, or just too plain stupid to have been given any kind of security-related responsibility.
October 22, 2013 at 8:39 AM
Good. Can you wait quietly?
October 22, 2013 at 7:21 PM
Any idea what he did in the Air Force, his accomplishments and awards? His familiarity with nuclear weapon security? Nope, didn't think so.
This sounds like the Nanos BS. By looking at the incident statics LANL was by far the lowest in the complex. This was all shown in the LANL blog. There is no high concentration in NM of arrogant scientist. In the end Nanos looked like a fool, literally all the people that fired or disciplined won big lawsuits against the lab and many went on to much high level positions elsewhere. Nanos was the arrogant, out of touch, delusional, and villainous. character who did great harm to the nation.
I cannot speak about Mike, I know nothing of him. As for the people that where hurt under Nanos, the real person to blame is Nanos.
You might want to take a look at the investigation report from the LANSCE radiation exposure event of last year before you get all defensive.
You might want to take a look at the investigation report from the LANSCE radiation exposure event of last year before you get all defensive.
October 23, 2013 at 3:45 PM"
True but again compare that to the other labs, such as NIST and so on. Again you will see we have much higher standards and are safer. You the one that needs to get you facts straight before you get all defensive.
If you show yourself to be uneducated, do not expect your opinions to matter to anyone except those less educated than you.