Mismanagement and Abuse of Power On June 12, 2024, the House Foreign Affairs Committee concluded that there was "credible evidence of corruption" regarding the matter of Setareh Derakhshesh Sieg, the former director of Voice of America's Persian News Network (PNN). Following a series of whistleblower complaints and an extensive internal investigation by civil servants, Sieg had been terminated in January 2021 for falsifying her education credentials, severe abuses of taxpayer dollars for personal benefit, and engaging in a pattern of favoritism that materially benefitted some employees and contractors at the expense of the public. However, within hours after President Biden took office, Sieg was reinstated then transferred to a different role by then-acting VOA Director Yolanda Lopez and cleared of wrongdoing. Lopez abruptly resigned in September 2023 as the Committee intensified its investigation. In its June 2024 report, the Committee found that the original allegations had merit and were supported by substantial evidence. Sieg remains employed at VOA.
Mismanagement and Abuse of Power On June 12 2024 the House Foreign Affairs Committee concluded that there was "credible evidence of corruption" regarding the matter of Setareh Derakhshesh Sieg the former director of Voice of America's Persian News Network (PNN) Following a series of whistleblower complaints and an extensive internal investigation by civil servants Sieg had been terminated in January 2021 for falsifying her education credentials severe abuses of taxpayer dollars for personal benefit and engaging in a pattern of favoritism that materially benefitted some employees and contractors at the expense of the public However within hours after President Biden took office Sieg was reinstated then transferred to a different role by then-acting VOA Director Yolanda Lopez and cleared of wrongdoing Lopez abruptly resigned in September 2023 as the Committee intensified its investigation In its June 2024 report the Committee found that the original allegations had merit and were supported by substantial evidence Sieg remains employed at VOA