Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) reports that it has filed briefs for Robert McCarthy, the former General Counsel for the United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC). PEER says that USIBWC fired McCarthy on July 31, 2009 — three days after McCarthy disclosed his reports of waste, fraud and abuse by USIBWC. McCarthy claims that USIBWC planned to build “cosmetic” levees along the Rio Grande. These would give the appearance of flood control while leaving residents vulnerable to seasonal flooding. USIBWC also planned to divert flood control funds to subsidize building a border barrier. PEER had previously labeled the USIBWC "the worst agency in the federal government." USIBC Commissioner Bill Ruth, a Bush Administration holdover, fired McCarthy for “continued failure to support me [Ruth]…in a constructive and collegial manner." PEER is asking the Merit System Protection Board (MSBP) to reinstate McCarthy.
