McClatchy Newspapers: NRO Inspector General Looking Into Contracting and Other Improprieties

The inspector general (IG) of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is investigating allegations of contracting malfeasance by agency officials and an alleged attempt to intimidate whistleblowers according to the McClatchy Newspapers, which include the Miami Herald.

The Miami Herald report cites agency documents obtained by McClatchy Newspapers revealing that four NRO officials secretly met with the NRO IG in May because of “a series of allegations of malfeasant actions.”  The newspaper then names Maj. Gen. Susan Mashiko, an NRO deputy director, as threatening to fire the four officials, although it adds that Mashiko reportedly “backed off” when an officer expressed surprise and said that she wished they had told her instead of the IG.

The Miami Herald did not detail what contracting “improprieties” are at the root of the matter.    Its report said NRO’s IG, Lanie D’Alessandro, did not return calls or reveal the names of anyone involved in the investigation and that Mashiko also declined to speak to McClatchy Newspapers.

NRO, based in Chantilly, VA, designs, builds and operates the nation’s spy satellites.  Its very existence was classified until 1992 and its budget remains classified.   NRO’s current director, Betty Sapp, assumed office in July 2012.  Previously she was the NRO’s Principal Deputy Director, a post now held by Frank Calvelli.