A TALE OF TWO WOMEN AT THE USDA - ORGANIZATIONAL TERRORISM PROTECTS THE LAST PLANTATION

Organizational terrorism runs rampant at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Psychological abuse methods used by those in power include predator tactics and bully techniques that specifically target federal employees who dare challenge discrimination or expose wrongdoings. Two currently being targeted are Karin Leperi and Penny Kriesch, both at the Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C. (PR WEB) -- Organizational terrorism runs rampant at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Simply stated, its a toolkit of psychological abuse techniques used by those in power and designed to intimidate, incapacitate, and strike fear in the minds and hearts of employees who dare question the plantation culture of the USDA. These predator tactics and bully techniques specifically target federal employees who dare to challenge discrimination or expose wrongdoings.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...

Using a technique called mirroring," or reflecting ones own traits upon the victim, LCDR Leperis civilian boss dubbed her an organizational terrorist" in a letter to then Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman. This because she was activated for military duty to serve on a Yugoslavia Task Force. So livid was the boss that he trumped up charges and fired Leperi for Conduct Unbecoming a Federal Official" -- or, at least he tried. He also accused her of gossiping. Forget the fact that he and his Deputy previously signed a letter of apology promising not to rumormonger about Ms. Leperi anymore.

Then there were the numerous investigations Ms. Leperi endured -- all seemed to trace back to her supervisor. (Known as degradation dredging" its purpose is to trash reputations regardless of the facts and to further isolate the employee from others.) She was accused of falsifying her time and attendance, of stealing government equipment, and when that failed to stick, of spreading rumors about her boss having affairs with female subordinates. While her reputation was sullied and dragged through the government gutter, her health suffered. Soon she was in a hospital emergency room consumed with excruciating abdominal pain; afraid for her job, Leperi had her husband call the belligerent boss. The same boss denied ever receiving that call.

Interrogation Torture

For Penny Kriesch, it was harassment through interrogation - or what is known as interrogation torture." Subjected to verbal abuse by the Office of General Counsel (OGC), she was forced to answer a series of derogatory questions that were designed to intimidate, humiliate and subjugate.

Deposed by OGC, her line of interrogation included questions such as how many times she was married and divorced. Continuing the treatment of Kriesch as criminal, follow-on questions badgered her about whether she was addicted to drugs, was there mental illness in the family, and whether she had ever declared bankruptcy.

Then came the lunacy -- had she ever been raped or a victim of incest? But the real low blow was when they tried to imply that her daughter was illegitimate by besieging her with questions on exact dates of her marriage and the birth of her child. Such guerilla tactics serve to shift the focus from agency culpability to subsidiary issues agencies think they can win -- usually based on technicalities rather than substance.

Wheres the Nexus?

And what does this have to do with allegations of discrimination? Little, if anything -- its a tactic called smoke and mirrors," another organizational terrorist tool that deflects focus from the real issue -- the plantation culture. Instead of discrimination being on trial, it is the character of individuals like Leperi and Kriesch who dare stand up and question whats right and wrong. "But we're still standing," says Leperi. "And we intend to reclaim our trashed careers in the process - by going beyond surviving to thriving."

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For more information:

Robert Seldon, Esq., 202.955.6968 (Leperi)

Lawrence Lucas, President, Minority Coalition, 856.910.2399 (Kriesch)

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