Deadly Wildlife Disease Releases at USGS Labs Litigated

WHAT: Merits System Protection Board (MSPB) hearing concerning the employment status of U.S. Geological Survey microbiologist Eveline (Evi) Emmenegger who has revealed several pathogen releases from supposedly secure agency wildlife disease laboratories.

WHO: Whistleblower, supporting witnesses, and senior USGS officials associated with the agency’s troubled wildlife disease lab in Seattle. Ms. Emmenegger will be represented by attorneys with the whistleblower protection group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).

WHEN: 9:30 AM (PDT) Tuesday June 14, 2022. Preregistration due by COB Thurs. June 9 . The hearing is scheduled for 3 days, starting at the same time each day.

WHERE: Zoom for Government hookup

CONTACT: Members of the media who wish to participate via Zoom should contact lead PEER attorney Paula Dinerstein pdinerstein@peer.org so that she can submit the request to the Judge’s paralegal, who will instruct the media representative on how to join the hearing. Please contact PEER before June 9 so we can submit the list of attendees by then.

BACKGROUND: Pending USGS Director confirmation involves official overseeing these and other bio-safety breaches.

——–

PEER protects public employees who protect our environment. We are a service organization for environmental and public health professionals, land managers, scientists, enforcement officers and other civil servants dedicated to upholding environmental laws and values.