ML062160320

E-mail from Cobey to Blough, Phone Call on RI-2003-A-0110 Alleger

ML062160320
Person / Time
Site:	Salem, Hope Creek
Issue date:	04/05/2005
From:	Cobey E Reactor Projects Branch 3
To:	Blough A, Collins S, Farrar K, Brian Holian, Holody D, Lisamarie Jarriel, Diane Screnci, Neil Sheehan, Teator J, Vito D, Joel Wiebe, Wiggins J, Elizabeth Wilson NRC Region 1
References
FOIA/PA-2005-0194, RI-2003-A-0110
Download: ML062160320 (4)

Text

"A, Randolph Blough - Re: Phone call to RI-2003-A-01 10 alleger - providing investigation results Page 1 From: Eugene Cobey To: A. Randolph Blough; Brian Holian; Daniel Holody; David Vito; Diane Screnci; Ernest Wilson; James Wiggins; Jeffrey Teator; Joel Wiebe; Karl Farrar; Lisamarie Jarriel; Neil Sheehan; Samuel Collins Date: 4/5/05 4:18PM

Subject:

Re: Phone call to RI-2003-A-01 10 alleger - providing investigation results tave Lochbaum (UCS returned my call late this afternoon to discuss the results of our investigations. It was clear that he had already been made aware of the results (most likely from the alleger).

During the conversation, he made it clear that he felt that our handling of this case did more to create a chilling effect than anything being done by any licensee. He stated that our treatment of the alleger would result in whistleblowers not raising issues with the NRC for fear of being treated like the alleger. He also stated that ifwe were unable to substantiate a discrimination case as strong as the alleger's, we would never substantiate any discrimination case short of having a confession.

-avaasked whether or not the case was considered closed for the purpose of FOIA, to which, I responded that it was. I expect that we will receive a FOIA request in the near future.

Eugene W. Cobey, Chief Projects Branch 3 Division of Reactor Projects (610) 337-5171

>>> David Vito 04/05/05 02:39PM >>>

- SENSITIVE ALLEGATION INFORMATION -

- PROTECT ACCORDINGLY -

Randy Blough and I called the alleger around 10:00 a.m. this morning. [Throughout the call, on several opccasions, Randy emphasized the SCWE findings and her contributions to us in that area, and thanked her for providing the info.]

I introduced the call, and Randy and I spent some time discussing the logistics for getting out the letters to her and the licensee. We also discussed the FOIA process (and I have gotten back to her on a question she asked). She gave every indication that she will request all related information under FOIA.

Randy then took over to discuss the results of th nd discrimination investigations (she had asked that he do so in a previous e-mail to him). She permitt d Randy to discuss the results of both cases (for but 15 minutes bef re comme ti She did not comment about the results of the The bulk of her comments about the results of the discrimination investigation dealt with that aspect involving the moving up of her deparuedatem&d*d. ril 2003 back to late-March 2003). She inenwhy w chose to believe and the rjorate H.ma Resources people as to the reason her date was movedup v .. ...

had directed the date to be moved up, and w told hl* %er--"rhe*o get you.'- Sheeieves that the HR Corporate people an0 oncocted this story (so thaN wouldn't Io6k like the bad guy), when she knows that there was no plan to accelerate her departure until after she spoke with (and tapedQ She does not agree with the NRC's conclusion on the discrimination issue and wanted to know how to appeal it. We described the investigatory process, and noted that our decision was only reached after ri. _,:p.onqr

• de dldng the gathering of much evidence, including interviews with many people, and Inaord vancpoly 4Pedd, 1yjg to come to the most reasonable conclusion. Notwithstanding, we told in ac co irdan c , '117"[

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Act, eepin Fo1A-_

1A. Randolph Blough - Re: Phone call to RI-2003-A-01 10 alleger - providing investigation results. Page 2 her that she could submit whatever additional information she thinks we might need to evaluate in order to possibly reconsider our conclusion, and that we would evaluate that information to determine if further action was appropriate. We also suggested that she review what was developed during our investigation, in considering her next actions.

Lastly she asked why were were not taking action agains tmma and mentioned his "the operator's don't -7 know S from Shinola" comment. Randy commented that while this was an unfortunate comment, and fed into the SCWE problems at the site, it was not a wrongdoing matter. Randy and I tried on a couple of occasions to describe what could constitute a potential wrongdoign matter, and why this situation did not apply, but she was not receptive. She offered that (paraphrasing)..."maybe the NRC wi differently after I put the tapes on the Internet." She added that she wished we had told her (that rnomments were not wrongdoing) before she got into this.

As we have done in the past, Randy offered her an opportunity to come in to talk about things face-to-face, after she has had a chance to digest everything.

CC: Leanne Harrison; Sharon Johnson

Ic\tempNQW}O0001 .TMP Page 11 Mail Envelope Properties (4252F29B.235 : 21 : 35038)

Subject:

Re: Phone call to RI-2003-A-01 10 alleger - providing investigation results Creation Date: 4/5/05 4:18PM From: Eugene Cobey Created By: EWC@nrc.gov Recipients nrc.gov kplpo.KPDO ARB (A. Randolph Blough)

BEH (Brian Holian)

DJH (Daniel Holody)

DJV (David Vito)

DPS (Diane Screnci)

EPW (Ernest Wilson)

JAT (Jeffrey Teator)

JSW4 (Joel Wiebe)

JTW1 (James Wiggins)

KLF (Karl Farrar)

LMH1 CC (Leanne Harrison)

NAS (Neil Sheehan)

SJC1 (Samuel Collins)

SLJ CC (Sharon Johnson) nrc.gov owf4_po.OWFNDO LLJ (Lisamarie Jarriel)

Post Office Route kplpo.KP DO nrc.gov owf4_po.OWFNDO nrc.gov Files Size Date & Time MESSAGE 5723 04/05/05 04:18PM Options Expiration Date: None Priority: Standard Reply Requested: No Return Notification: None Concealed

Subject:

No

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