Smithsonian and NMNH officials investigated Sternberg's allegations and found "no basis for his complaints," Kremer told
The Scientist. "Sternberg still has an office here, and he has full access to the research facility," Kremer said. "If he feels people are hostile to him, it's his feeling. It's all in the eye of the beholder." Sternberg's appointment as an RA expires in January 2007. NMNH officials had previously offered to renew the position, but have since changed the post to that of research collaborator, which is a role for someone "less academically qualified," Sternberg said.
... ."Sternberg filed a complaint with the
Office of Special Counsel(OSC), the federal agency that investigates and prosecutes prohibited personnel practices, in late 2004. OSC staff attorney
James McVay reported in an 11-page
letter having found evidence to corroborate complaints of religious and political-affiliation discrimination and retaliation....
However, because Sternberg was an unpaid RA and not a Smithsonian employee, the OSC lacked jurisdiction and did not pursue the matter. In August 2005, the subcommittee staff initiated its own investigation, resulting in the current report, which largely corroborates the OSC findings.
In an email to The Scientist, NCSE's Matzke asserted that both investigations were politically motivated, with Souder being "the leading ID supporter in Congress" and OSC chief Scott Bloch having been "widely criticized for using the OSC office for right-wing culture wars."...