The Chemical Safety Board on Wednesday settled its dispute with fired managing director Daniel Horowitz. Photo courtesy of Daniel Horowitz
Chemical Board Settles with Managing Director After Three-Year Paid Leave
The government spent some $485,700 just to cover David Horowitz’ salary in a case that highlighted the inefficiencies of federal personnel management.
Just a day before a scheduled three-day civil service court hearing, the Chemical Safety Board on Wednesday settled its dispute with fired managing director Daniel Horowitz, who had spent three years on paid administrative leave after contesting his dismissal.
Given Horowitz’s salary of $161,900, his paid leave cost the government some $485,700.
Horowitz’s attorneys at the nonprofit Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, without providing details, announced in a statement issued jointly with the chemist:
“The CSB and Dr. Daniel Horowitz have reached an agreement that brings to a conclusion the personnel disputes before the Merit Systems Protection Board and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the Department of Labor. The agency thanks Dr. Horowitz for his public service and wishes him the best in his future endeavors.”
An MSPB judge was scheduled to hear testimony on March 14, 15 and 19, and PEER’s team had planned to call supportive witnesses such as former agency Director Rafael Moure-Eraso, who himself was fired under an ethical cloud, as well as current Board Member Manuel Ehrlich.
Horowitz, who declined to speak to Government Executive, was fired last June by then-chair Vanessa Sutherland, as one of her last acts leading the investigative agency with a staff of 40.