Update on the case of the admitted criminal who’s still working at the National Insitutes of Health — it turns out Dr. Trey Sunderland can’t quit, and NIH can’t fire him. Here’s why:
First, NIH can’t fire him because Sunderland doesn’t work for NIH. He’s a member of a quasi-military organization called the U.S. Commissioned Corps, we’re told. Corps members are medical experts with ranks and uniforms who can be dispatched to respond to disease outbreaks and other medical emergencies. When they aren’t responding they work in the federal health system, but they’re under the control of the U.S. Surgeon General.
Why won’t the Commissioned Corps do anything? According to a government spokeswoman, allegations of wrongdoing involving a Corps member must go through an investigation by a “board of inquiry.” That process is unaffected by developments in the rest of the world, she said. Even if he pled guilty in a “civilian” court, they continue with their investigation. And his status apparently can’t change until that process is complete.
Sunderland tried to resign in 2005, to take a lucrative gig with a private research outfit, but no dice. So for now, he’s stuck in a scene from Casablanca: Wait, and wait, and wait. . . and wait.
