Unprofessional behavior plagues SRS

Death threats, abuse and corporate retaliation seem to have taken the place of any sense of esprit de corps at the Department of Energy's (DOE) Savannah River Site (SRS) since stimulus funds and related staff started pouring in, according to workers.

Working conditions at the South Carolina DOE weapons complex facility have again been called into question as information obtained by the Aiken Standard paints a picture of unprofessional behavior and acrimony at the top levels of DOE management.

Following a dispute between Site Manager Jeff Allison and individuals at DOE Environmental Management (EM) headquarters in September and early October, new information has come forth of seemingly widespread discord between DOE-EM executives and stimulus management and staff.

An investigation began at SRS after Director of SRS American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Vincent Adams claimed his life was threatened by Elaine Nix, the contracting officer for SRS ARRA work.

However, others claim in internal e-mails that they fear for their safety around Adams and his boss Cynthia Anderson, director of EM ARRA. Others still question alleged varying accounts Adams has offered and a delay in reporting the alleged threat.

The incident took place Oct. 29, according to a report made by Adams. He claims that he was berated by Nix. Also, during a conversation about a hunt club function, Adams wrote in his report that "she would have shot me if she had a gun because of what I had put her through with my e-mail."

A witness told Adams, he claims, that after he left the area in a state of shock, Nix repeated that she meant what she said.

An investigation was started and Nix's Site badge was taken from her and she was placed on leave, according to internal communications.

An external investigator brought in to look at Nix and the allegations found that she was not a threat to anyone, and on Nov. 16, it was concluded she should be given her Site badge back. The investigation was undertaken by a former South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Assistant director, Steven Smith.

Adams reportedly submitted more than one version of his report. One to security staff at Wachenhut and a second, longer version to Anderson.

In the report to Anderson, Adams outlines what he sees as a pattern of abuse by Nix toward him. He writes that, in conjunction with Deputy Manager for Cleanup Sandra Johnson, Nix is stoking "the fire of hate" against him.

The vitriol is not one-sided. Johnson wrote in a Nov. 10 e-mail that she is being attacked by Anderson and states that top executives at Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) fear Anderson is retaliating against them for cooperating with an inspector general's probe into her conduct.

"I am being retaliated against by Cynthia Anderson and Vince Adams for cooperating with the IG investigation and EM-2 ... refuse to stop her constant hostile and harassing behavior," Johnson wrote.

EM-2 is Dae Chung, second in command of DOE-EM.

These e-mails are not alone. Allison claimed earlier this year the he had been threatened by Inez Triay, Anderson and Chung as they tried to oust him from his position as the head of the Site. Allison, who remains in the top spot, was set to be quickly moved out of SRS work and to take the helm of DOE's Small Sites, according to e-mails and DOE documents. However, since allegations of threats and Allison's objections, he has not been moved.

Contact Mike Gellatly at mgellatly@aikenstandard.com.