FBI agents search special counsel's home and office

By James Vicini and Andy Sullivan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - FBI agents on Tuesday raided the office and home of the U.S. official responsible for protecting whistleblowers, as they investigated whether he has mistreated employees and obstructed justice.

Agents were looking for evidence that Special Counsel Scott Bloch had obstructed the investigation and retaliated against career employees, federal law enforcement officials said.

The office's computer system was shut down as about 20 agents spent most of the day combing through files in the Office of Special Counsel's downtown headquarters, agency spokesman James Mitchell said.

"It's not clear to us what they are searching for," Mitchell said as TV cameramen milled about the lobby.

Bloch, in office since 2004, is responsible for protecting government whistleblowers and ensuring that the federal bureaucracy is not used for political ends.

But employees there accused Bloch of stocking the office with friends and political allies, and transferring career staffers who disagreed with his decision to remove discrimination protections for gay and lesbian employees.

Twelve career employees were reassigned to a field office in Detroit against their will, prompting most of them to quit, according to a complaint provided by a lawyer who represents former and current employees at the office.

"This office has been really nonfunctional under Scott Bloch," lawyer Debra Katz said.