Congressional scrutiny of Homeland official steps up

By Patience Wait and Wilson P. Dizard III

Post Newsweek Tech Media

Following news reports that a senior official at the Homeland Security Department appears to have obtained her academic degrees from an unaccredited diploma mill, several members of Congress are seeking to learn how background checks and security clearances failed to flag the questionable credentials.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., chairwoman of the Democratic Caucus’ Homeland Security task force, sent a letter June 4 to HSD secretary Tom Ridge asking for a full investigation.

“What is troubling to me is that a senior official in the Department of Homeland Security in the office of the CIO would have a questionable degree in computer information systems from a university that has been denied accreditation by the U.S. Department of Education,” Maloney’s letter read. “If this press report is true, how could one of the highest senior officials in your Department make it through a background check while allegedly misleading the Department about her educational background?”

The official under scrutiny, Laura Callahan, senior director in the office of the CIO, lists on her official resume that she received a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 1993, a master’s degree in computer science in 1995, and a Ph.D. in computer information systems in 2000—all from Hamilton University. The organization, located in Evanston, Wyo., is not accredited by any body recognized by the Education Department. It sells degrees based on applicants’ life and work experience but requires no coursework.

“I trust that you will have a full investigation into this matter. When this investigation is complete, I would hope that you will share your findings with Congress,” Maloney wrote. “In the interim, I trust that you will give your highest attention to the verification of employee biographies and an emphasis on having candidates who have received their training from accredited institutions of higher learning.”

At the same time, a spokesman for Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R-Va.), chairwoman of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency Reorganization, said that Davis also is concerned.

“We are leaning toward having the General Accounting Office look at this situation,” said Robert White on behalf of Davis. “We want to let the investigation go where it leads. The allegation that someone would have falsified their academic credentials is worrisome.”

And a spokesman for Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.), chairman of the House Government Reform Committee, said that his office sent a letter to the Office of Personnel Management concerning the issue, and that he has requested details on the Callahan matter from HSD.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), chairwoman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, was the first to ask HSD to investigate the matter. In a June 3 letter, Collins said, “I have written … to DHS in order to determine whether this official did in fact breach the government’s trust and, if so, what actions the department plans to take.”

Callahan, her boss, CIO Stephen Cooper and his boss, assistant secretary for management Janet Hale, have declined to comment.

HSD Science and Technology Directorate spokeswoman Michelle Petrovich said June 4 that the department is investigating.

“We’re collecting facts. We are concerned about the issue; we are taking it seriously,” Petrovich said. “We’re going through the process.”

This is typical of this administration. Criminals and impostures. Nothing surprises me anymore. I’ve gone way beyond that.

...the obvious qualifications Sean Penn and Barbra Streisand have.

Read the article again Sheepdog.

It was a Republican who first requested that this woman be investigated.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), chairwoman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, was the first to ask HSD to investigate the matter.

Sure, I don't like Republicans, but Republicans are not the root of the Bush problem. The root of the Bush problem is the Neo-Con movement. That movement includes both Republicans and Democrats. Opponents to the Neo-Cons include Republicans and Democrats as well. Neo-Cons, such as the ZionNazis that post here, are parasites infecting the American political process. They work on behalf of Israel and corporations - not on behalf of the US. These people like "daveman," "KOBE SBM," "Fresca," "Rational Normal Person," "Eric," and so on (more than likely all the same person), are not patriots. They are infiltrators working on behalf of those that wish to destroy the US and turn it into a larger version of racist Israel.

...your tinfoil hat is crooked.

BTW, do you wear the shiny side out or in?

...I gotta find some group on whom I can blame all my troubles.

Because, after all, if I'm a loser, it's obviuosly not my fault.

Just ask @...his loserhood is certainly not of his own doing. The neocons, ZioNazis, the Rosicrucians, the Illuminati, the Tellytubbies, and fluoride in the water is to blame.