Ruling: LANL worker not to blame for 2004 breach
Quote: “I always knew I did nothing wrong. I followed the rules to the letter. It feels great to be proven right.” — John Horne, a scientist with 23 years at the labSue Vorenberg | The New Mexican
An arbitrator has found innocent a Los Alamos National Laboratory employee accused of security violations that led to a labwide shutdown nearly four years ago.
In the summer of 2004, then-Director Pete Nanos suspended normal work at the lab after two classified disks were reported missing and a laser accident damaged an intern's eye. He slowly brought divisions back online over several months
The missing disks were later attributed to an accounting error, and it turned out they never existed.
John Horne, a scientist with 23 years at the lab, was accused along with Todd Kauppila, a team leader, of involvement in the incident and was reprimanded by Nanos.
Horne was put on unpaid administrative leave for 10 days as punishment and was accused of failing to follow safety and security procedures. Kauppila was fired.
Kauppila also fought the accusations, but died in May 2005 before any determination could be made.
The incident was actually caused by a "record-keeping mistake made by a LANL classified matter custodian," according to a statement released by Horne's lawyer, Timothy L. Butler.
That employee was "not reprimanded for the record-keeping mistake, but the person was later released from the lab on an unrelated matter," Butler told The New Mexican, adding the information came out in the arbitration agreement. "You can see the irony in that," Butler said.
A National Nuclear Security Administration 2005 estimate said the shutdown cost the lab up to $337 million.
An arbitrator from the American Arbitration Association on Thursday determined Horne didn't violate procedure or cause a security infraction, and concluded he should be paid for lost wages, benefits and other relief resulting from the incident.
"I always knew I did nothing wrong," Horne said in a news release. "I followed the rules to the letter. It feels great to be proven right."
Kevin Roark, a Los Alamos spokesman, said Horne continued working at the lab until the voluntary layoffs this January. "We, of course, respect the decision of the arbitrator and wish John well," Roark said.
Contact Sue Vorenberg at 986-3072 or svorenberg@sfnewmexican.com
Kevin Roark is a low-life jerk. How dare he speak so cavalier about the pain and damage this Lab's now-high-ranking managers (Seestrum) did to Horne and how they killed Todd!
ReplyDeleteNow can the Lab/DOE reimburse our program codes for the shutdown???
ReplyDeleteHooray for Horne!
ReplyDeleteNow, can Todd's family be compensated?
Anonymous at 2/27/08 8:04 AM has it right.
ReplyDeleteI echo 8:04AM's sentiments.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Peter_Nanos
ReplyDeletestill getting paid till he's vested
Congratulations John, bittersweet though it may be.
ReplyDeleteI wish Todd were here to see this and be vindicated himself.
I heartily agree with 8:04 AM and wish to add in a F*ck You to NNSA, F*ck You to DOE, and F*ck You to LANS/UC. Oh, and add in an especially big F*ck You to all the weasles on LANL's staff who help them in this ugly little witch hunt. What these people did to Todd and John and to the lab's whole staff was unforgivable.
ReplyDeleteMay those responsible for this fiasco rot in Hell. The Nanos shut down was the single most important event that signaled the beginning of the end for LANL.
Admiral Butthead got his golden parachute and the rest of these people (Seestrom et al) have all been promoted. There is no justice at LANL!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations John! I find this inspiring. The lesson is that if you are right you need to stick to you guns. Enjoy your retirement and thanks for fighting the good fight.
ReplyDelete"Todd who?" -- Adm. Bob Foley
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know whether this was arbitration of a lawsuit that John Horne brought against the laboratory?
ReplyDeleteIn the New Mexican's comment section, Chris Mechels alleges that this was the resolution of an internal grievance hearing. I just can't think why John Horne would have wasted his time using internal Lab processes instead of going straight for the Lab's jugular on this FUBAR to end all FUBARs.
Yea, let's pretend outrage now. Never mind that the Lab has a long undestinguished history of targeting employees that dare resist the workplace abuses that are so prevalent at the Lab. No outrage before, so why now? What a bunch of arrogant cowboy butt-heads.
ReplyDeleteSo true 1:06PM. We employ selective outrage around these parts.
ReplyDeleteQuit whinning boys. Victims are nothing more than collateral damage. This is LANL reality 101.
ReplyDeleteSo what exactly did this guy win? Two weeks pay? A reprimand removed from his record?
ReplyDeleteDid he get an apology?
Chris Mechels can take his comments and stick them where the sun doesn't shine. He is a shitbird of the highest order.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, Horne's case was a gross
abuse of authority at LANL.
Somebody needs to be disciplined over this.
11:38 am--
ReplyDeletedon't forget F*CK you Congress for the major witch hunt and threatening to shut down LANL.
"Somebody needs to be disciplined over this."
ReplyDeleteYou've got to be kidding, 5:39. You are either new around here, or incredibly naive, or both.
Nanos got bought out with his golden parachute, and was given a cushy job in DTRA.
Seestrum got promoted.
Nobody got disciplined except Horne and Kauppila.
Where the hell do you think you work, anyhow? This is LANL. Fuck the employee.
I am anonymous at 5:39 PM.
ReplyDeleteUnforetunately, anonymous at 6:02 PM
has is right. LANS/LANL does not
give a shit about the employees.
Why would anybody want to come to work at LANL. Those of us who are
already here have to stick it out
because we cannot sell our houses and the job market is not that good these days. But, for the new people, they would be advised to stay away from DOE labs.
Such anger
ReplyDeleteThe F-bomb bloggers should be on medication.
It's over, move on.
Don't think this is a victory. Learn and move forward, then perhaps this will be a good place to work again.
The motto should read:
ReplyDeleteDon´t give up LANL.
2/27/08 11:39 AM. Tell me again what role LANS played in the Horne/Kauppila witch hunt?
ReplyDelete5:39 PM -Meanwhile, Horne's case was a gross abuse of authority at LANL. Somebody needs to be disciplined over this."
ReplyDeleteAgreed, and hopefully the technicians who got punished in the DX acid inhalation incident, and the PD who was wrongly fired over the C acid inhalation incident all get vindicated soon as well. And hopefully the wright people get fired - in particular the managers who fucked up to save their own behinds (Wallace et al) and who have all been promoted or paid off.
the whole NANOS stand-down thing was an appalling abuse of power, waste of money, and all part of taking LANL down...
ReplyDelete8:04 pm: "hopefully the wright people get fired"
ReplyDeleteWas Wright wrong or right? I can't remember, but I think he was wrong, Wright?
8:05 am: "they killed Todd!"
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've seen this accusation slung around, but nobody is willing to actually be specific. Ok, so privacy is an issue, but please don't perpetuate slander you aren't willing to substantiate.
8:22 PM - Seestrom is directly responsible, so is Cobb and Nanos. Any other questions?
ReplyDelete2/27 08 7:50 PM
ReplyDeleteDon´t be smart with [2/27/08 11:39 AM] if he/she doesn´t remember that the LANS, LLC takeover was June 1, 2006.
(And you most likely believe that LANL would have been better of with Los Alamos Alliance, e.g. Lockheed Martin Corp. and UT, and Dr. C. Paul Robinson as director, than Dr. Michael R. Anastasio as director.)
(Tom D´Agostino has done 2 errors, as of, February 27, 2008:
(1) The M&O Contract that went to LANS, LLC, instead of Los Alamos Alliance, e.g. Lockheed Martin Corp. and UT.
(2) RRW-1 design competition, that went to LLNL, despite the 4-2 PEET recommendation that LANL´s design was better.
Consequence: Confusion, and no momentum achieved.)
Congratulations John! I'm glad you stuck it out and proved your innocence. I only wish that Todd was still alive to be vindicated as well. Perhaps this victory might enable Sarah to successfully pursue the lawsuit Todd planned. To Anonymous 8:05AM who questions whether this incident killed Todd... I can say that as a friend of Todd's who also worked closely with him and admired his tremendous talents, the injustice of the whole affair undoubtedly took a tremendous toll on his health. Although he was beginning to rally, the incident did him in. It's horrendous that this injustice was perpetrated against him (and John, and others within DX who were vilified and sent home like criminals). To explain the details would take a short novel and many of those involved are still scared to speak out for fear they might be subject to the same treatment. Anyway, congratulations John and good luck. - G
ReplyDeleteYou can read Todd's account of the events here.
ReplyDelete9:00 pm: "8:22 PM - Seestrom is directly responsible, so is Cobb and Nanos. Any other questions?"
ReplyDeleteUh, yes - my original ones? Like, substantiation? Evidence? Details? Reality? Like something admissible in court? (Or, does "directly responsible" for death not mean legal accountability to you?). Or are you just afraid? No foul if true, just say so.
Here is some good news for you poeple. Did you know that since LANS who controls the lab and who you work for is now a private company and bound by all laws? Do you know what this means? It means that anyone who gives you a hard time at the laboratory for any reason at all can face personal criminal charges and personal civil lawsuits without going through the laboratory. Basically you can go right down to your local district attorneys office and file a criminal complaint against anyone. Then the DA sends the police to the accused, gets arrested, investigates them and it goes to court. So what does this mean? The handy little clearance the person has goes into jeopardy and will get revoked. End of person bothering you and you go on because LANS will turn its cheek towards you and leave you alone because they know you mean business. Then you can just call up a lwayer and sue them personally pro bono! There you go!!
ReplyDeleteProblem Solved. LANL opened itself up with going private. DOE can no longer hide LANL. Game Over!
Finally. Progress.
ReplyDeleteCongrats John!
(and Chris Mechels should go hide in a closet and eat his own shit, it would a more productive use of his time for him, and for us)
"We, of course, respect the decision of the arbitrator and wish John well," Roark said."
ReplyDeleteOh, I almost forgot... give a great big F*ck You with sprinkles on top to LANS lacky Kevin Roark.
"Finally. Progress.
ReplyDeleteCongrats John!
(and Chris Mechels should go hide in a closet and eat his own shit, it would a more productive use of his time for him, and for us)
2/28/08 12:13 AM"
I also send my congrats to John Horne.
Forget Mechels, he is a bitter nutcase.
It's interesting to watch how some at LANL have already forgotten the bitter lessons of the '04 shutdown and now try to cast it as a beneficial event. Perhaps it's part of the LANS/UC inspired "Suck Up - Move Up" push that seems so rampant at LANL.
ReplyDeleteDuring the RFP contest LockMart's Paul Robinson didn't "suck up" to NNSA. He came right out and said the shutdown was a bad idea. LANS and their leadership made no such comments. NNSA, wishing to avoid embarrassment for the whole rotten episode, picked LANS for the contract, of course.
Is it any wonder that things at LANL are still screwed up and getting worse with each passing day? The pro-shutdown crowd is still running the show. At least they've not been able to hide the truth of the events that really took place back in '04. The LANS PR team can spin it anyway they want, but the public now knows the truth that both LANL/UC upper management and NNSA tried to hide from both the public and their staff.
9:38 am: "If you were here in 2004, you know what happened. If you weren't here, then just keep your ignorance to yourself."
ReplyDeleteI think the question had to do with actual legal culpability of LANL management, or not. If yes, one would have expected criminal charges, or at least an investigation by state or federal law enforcement. If such occurred, it wasn't obvious to those of us who work here.
If news reports are even remotely accurate, it is hard to see how managment caused Mr. Kauppila's serious illness.
Congratulations, John. Here's hoping that the Kauppila family can use this to their advantage.
ReplyDeleteSo, bloggers....
There were two other people fired from DX-3 at the same time Todd was fired and John was sent home. The two people were fired over the same incident. A total of 3 people from DX-3 lost their jobs over the CREM non-incident.
Isn't it funny how no one ever mentions the other two people? Why is that, I wonder?
Were they somehow guilty while John and Todd were innocent?
What do you think?
7:58 pm: "Isn't it funny how no one ever mentions the other two people? Why is that, I wonder?"
ReplyDeleteWell, maybe because these were "security" people and therefore beneath contempt, let alone worthy of sympathy?? Regardless of how their careers were ruined also? Yes, you technical folks who formed up the wagons and excluded these people, you are guilty too!
I want to thank all of you who have been supportive of me and Todd. I am unable to comment specifically until the decision is finalized in 30 days. When that happens I will be free to answer peoples questions. I haven't paid much attention to the blogs for some time but someone told me that this posting was here and I wanted to acknowledge all of you who were behind us. It is sad that Todd is not here to share in this victory but this was a vindication for him as well.
ReplyDeleteWarmest regards to you all and God Bless.
John Horne
This is all pretty mind blowing. I didn't know all this had happened.
ReplyDeleteI've been considering working at the labs for a couple of years now since I graduated, and as I have been putting out feelers and reading New Mexico papers and generally paying attention to sources like this blog, I've realized what a total blunder it would be to ever work at such a place that puts people through the grinder.
I remember the Wen Ho Lee situation, read about accidents and things that happened where it seemed that the lab/company seem to have no regard whatsoever for the safety or even to honor these engineers and technicians who are harmed there. Just look at the anger on this blog!
If you managers and movers and shakers want to know what's wrong with the Lab, go look in the god damn mirror. Situations don't get this bad without people like you at the top fucking things up. A lot. And then promoting your own filthy types and co-scumbags. Shameful.
...And to think I wanted to come there because I thought it would be a different world. Yikes. Thanks for making me realize what a horde of scumbags the top of the pyramid is there in Los Alamos, and for making me realize what a bullet I might have dodged.
And no, it wasn't this story that made my mind, it's been a growing feeling for quite some time now. I'm just finally moved to comment.
The only value left here is the entertainment as the anti's try more and different ways to bash the lab, it's employees, and all things LANL. 12:22 am is no grad student, give me a break. Just another Mechels wannabe in training.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Noam Chomsky. When he was asked how to solve the various problems in society today, he said something to the effect of most of our problems would be solved if people spent most of their time worrying about what they see in the mirror each morning.
Get a life, people.
Regarding the "Forgotten Two":
ReplyDeleteSomeone (7:58) posted earlier "Well, maybe because these were "security" people and therefore beneath contempt, let alone worthy of sympathy??"
They weren't exactly "security people", although at least one performed a security function. They were low-to-mid level TECs, I believe. But John was also a technician (albeit a TEC 7), and Todd was a non-degreed staff member, so I think there's little truth to the claim that those two (the not-John-or-Todd two) were forgotten or ignored because they were TECs or "security people" rather than "scientists".
I've always found it curious that they are forgotten. As an example, an earlier poster on this thread states "Nobody got disciplined except Horne and Kauppila.", and that simply isn't true. But that is what the story has become.
I don't recall Todd mentioning the "forgotten two" in his account of what happened; to my knowledge John has never mentioned them on this blog. Certainly their names rarely (if ever) came up on the revered original blog.
For the record, at least 10 people got several weeks, if not months, administrative leave; three people were terminated (Todd plus two more), and at least one person got unpaid leave.
So, again, Todd, John, Doug Roberts, the bloggers....it seems that no one ever talks (or in Todd's case, talked) about the other two. Certainly no one has championed their cause.
Again, why? Did they somehow deserve what happened to them,while John and Todd did not?
I don't have the answer, but I believe that the question is worth asking.
Nanos tops the UC Wall of Shame.
ReplyDeleteHis name will live in infamy.
"Like, substantiation? Evidence? Details? Reality? Like something admissible in court? (Or, does "directly responsible" for death not mean legal accountability to you"
ReplyDeleteRight. Try Whitewash
John, I just head about the decision on the TV NEWS this week. WE all went through hell those many weeks looking for those disks that did not exist. I remember how Todd was feeling very early on. Congratulation on this ruling and on your retirement.
ReplyDelete