The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Inspector General (OIG) initiated an investigation after receiving information from the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service Office of Special Investigations, alleging that an employee of USAID may have committed an act of unwanted sexual contact against another USAID employee in 2017.
The OIG found that in December 2017, a USAID Personal Services Contractor (PSC) assigned on a temporary duty assignment in Budapest engaged in unwanted sexual contact with a colleague. Additionally, the OIG was able to identify a second victim, who when interviewed, alleged that in 2015, the same USAID PSC committed acts of unwanted sexual contact. The OIG also found an ongoing history of potential USAID complacency in addressing allegations of sexual misconduct.
Criminal prosecution of the USAID PSC was declined.
The OIG completed its investigation and provided its report to USAID for appropriate action. USAID entered into an agreement in which the USAID PSC agreed to resign in lieu of termination and not to reapply for a position with USAID for 10 years. USAID is also working on adding explicit language to future personal services contracts regarding sexual misconduct serving as grounds to terminate for cause.