An article appeared on Monday, March 11, 2013 in the Navy Times, www.navytimes.com, by staff writer Sam Fellman titled "NCIS agents battle bosses over forced reassignments / IG investigating claims of back-door downsizing". This stems from a current DODIG investigation prompted by a joint complaint of 20 original complainants. In essence, the complaint alleges fraudulent behavior by NCIS senior management, including accusations of an ongoing, unauthorized reduction-in-workforce effort that coerces employees to leave through the use of forced transfers. Since the initial complaint, dozens of additional agents have joined as whistleblowers by telling their stories to DODIG. I established a website to track the complaint and related subsequent events, www.thetruencis.com. On January 30, 2013, the DODIG advised it had completed fieldwork and is now pending issuance of its report of investigation to the Secretary of Navy. On March 21, 2013, DODIG further advised the "investigation remains ongoing; however, getting close."

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One of many victims -- Navy Reserve Capt. Michael Devine retired from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service after he was ordered to transfer and his request for a humanitarian waiver was denied. Devine's humanitarian request related to his son Austin, 18, who has autism and suffers from severe seizures. The doctor advised "It is my professional opinion, as a physician who specializes in the treatment of Autism, that if a transfer were to happen, it would have devastating consequences on his son's health and emotional well-being." Devine's request, originally approved by the NCIS humanitarian board, was subsequently denied by Deputy Director Mark Ridley, now the Acting Director of NCIS.