Dear Tony I sent this note out to the DDN, as an RPCV who called for the Ombudsman

Since the DDN was able to suceed in court against the Peace Corps on requesting information. I have been unsucessful in finding a lawyer because it costs about three hundred dollars an hour.

I was wondering, if you or anybody in the Peace Corps community with a legal background could provide me with "a little information". Since the Peace Corps holds twelve pages under laws I stated above and their stance on my case and witholding information is bogus. Perhaps someone out their "anonymously could help me out with some legal research". "Look at as and legal quiz for you law experts". Here are the laws Peace Corps quoted to me why they can't release these documents with my name on it.

Administrative Services: 10 Pages under the following Freedom of information Act (5 U.S.C. 552(b)(5), Privacy Act (U.S.C. 552a (d)(5) and Peace Corps regulation (22 C.F.R. 303.5 (C).

Office of the Inspector General: 2 Pages: Freedom of information Act (5 U.S.C. 552(b)(5), Privacy Act (U.S.C. 552a (d)(5) and Peace Corps regulation (22 C.F.R. 303.5 (C).

Since Lexis Nexis costs a great deal and I am at a disadvantage in geting acess to this information through Lexis Nexis or the laws in the keys. Could someone please assistant me with some legal research. I know what these laws mean and have that printed out. However, I don't have case law on individuals, institutions or business who have been sucessful in petitioning the government and been sucessful in overcoming these obstructions or an alternative to being able to view the documents. Such as being to view them with a camera at Agency headquarters.

You would certainly be helping me overcome Peace Corps' denial of documents under FYOI to me and further to my family.

DDN, your lawyer had to have quoted case law or petitioned in court on certain grounds, could you provide me with any of that legal assistance. If not what court did you file in?
Some of you former General Counsel people at Peace Corps could certainly help or Congressmen or their staff. I would appreciate it. We would appreciate your assistance.

978-462-3868


Daniel

By CarmenBailey (h2-66-137-250.mesh.net - 66.137.250.2) on Saturday, December 24, 2005 - 6:48 pm: Edit Post

An ombudsman for Peace Corps? That's the same
as putting another fox in the hen house. How
would an ombudsman clarify the three enclosed documents according to what they said? It would be
different from what Peace Corps, State Department, and Labor Department said.
Well, I am unable to drag the three documents into PCOL "Add a Message" so will leave remarks
about the last two and copy my attorney's
statment.

1. Mark Williams. He was my attorney for the Federal Hearing I requested in 1991. I understand that he had the backing of my then Senator Lloyd Bentsen who wrote up my case as presented to
you. Soon after my case was done, Mark stopped his legal liaison with Labor Department because "Peace Corps lied to me; Labor Department lied to me; and another agency which slips me just now, lied to me." That he could not do business that way... that he charged me for
the time he spent being cheated and chaeting me. Recently Labor said his legal explanation of my case is not relevant.
2.How does anybody make sense of this OWCP
letter? It gets worse. Last November, after
19 years, Labor appointed an OWCP doctor for me.
The doctor noticed my gait and said he needed an
x ray of my left hip. OWCP said they did not
pay for orthopedic conditions on me. Not they
ever paid for anything else. It turned out while
the accepted spasticity of my hips and legs is
accepted by OWCP as a neurological condition, it requires a chiropractor to put my hip joints back in from time to time. And OWCP will not pay for
that. Not that they ever paid for anything else.
My newly assigned OWCP doctor said in that
case he could not help me.
3. Labor paid $2000.00 for this Brain Map
which reveals explicit damage to my brain.

By F. Vol (ca1462-ch01-bl03.ma-cambridg0.sa.earthlink.net - 207.69.137.202) on Sunday, December 25, 2005 - 9:10 pm: Edit Post

Carmen, you have courage. I know my words won't help change things for your situation.

I don't know how an Ombudsman's office would help your situation. I can't ansewer for it, especially when it doesn't exist and probably won't.

It sounds as if your attorney opted not to deal with the corruption, bribery and violations of civil rights of former volunteers encounter with Peace Corps and the Department of Labor. Its medical malpractice period.

How can you change it? There is not much you can do without an attorney. What you can do is have Senator Lloyd Bensen request a GAO repot on your particular case. Secondly, you can request in the same request he submitt a bill that has your name on it. Ask them to place in the bill to waive the Peace Corps right of Sovereign Immunity as an Agency so that you can sue them for compensatory damage. It is the only way you can sue Peace Corps. Tell them there has been Gross negligence in your case. OWCP will wear you out. Continue your pursuit with them if you haven't exhausted all avenues.

Don't take any crap from Peace Corps or the DOL. Let Lloyd Bensen know you swore into the United States government and deserve to get your health care rights and compensation for your time.

This is all the advice right now I can provide.

Also, Make a copy of your file and bring it to Shirley Jackson Lee. She may not be your Congresswoman, but you can give her permission to take on your case in the House. Have her take your case to Chairman Hyde. You may get better results with two reps from Texas. At least its something.

Your case is a shame, I feel for you. I also feel bad you had to pay for attorney. Keep your head up. It may be rough, but like in golf the rough is only mental. Envision the outcome you want and move in that direction yourself. I know its exhausting and almost impossible for some folks especially folks in your condition. Go slow, one step at a time. Think outside the box, there are things you can do. Don't let the case consume you though, just be patient and give it all you can muster. Ask friends, the local law school, your doctor, other volunteers or former volunteers to call on your behalf that you trust.

former volunteer

By CarmenBailey (h2-66-137-250.mesh.net - 66.137.250.2) on Monday, December 26, 2005 - 11:55 am: Edit Post

F. Volunteer. Aha! The plot thickens. I am
amazed at how wholeheartedly I embraced Peace Corps' GoodWill PR 19 years ago, and now in the aftermath of being left for dead in three countries because I survived a disease still
not described in the Peace Corps medical manual
WHERE THERE IS NO DOCTOR, it's as if I don't
exist! What happened to the checks and balances
we are told we have... in the name of moving a good thing higher up. Maybe I missed the
point, that Peace Corps is not to be improved if at all possible.

Thanks for the data. I will digest it and
act on it. I don't know how I can manage it
but will at least start. That's the way I did
it from day one in Nairobi Hospital.

Senator Lloyd Bentsen retired many years ago.
His co hort Ted Kennedy, although instrumental in
getting my disability - now will not reply to
my letters asking for help.

I solicit aid from those who are in a position
to offer it.

By F Vol (ca1462-ch01-bl06.ma-cambridg0.sa.earthlink.net - 207.69.137.205) on Monday, December 26, 2005 - 7:49 pm: Edit Post

Thanks,

We are told there are checks and balances.

I too was gullible in thinking they would do the right thing. I was wrong. Each one of those staff people are out for the buck both conservative types and supposedly liberal folks at Peace Corps. They won't do a thing until you attack for your rights. Just ask the Dayton Daily News.

Don't try Teddy Kennedy, wrong. Kerry, wrong. They won't help. You are wastng your time wth them. I am not telling you, that you are wrong. They are wrong. They don't know the real deal at Peace Corps and all the people who have been victims of violence, not getting health care, they could care less.

Try Senator Vionivich too. Ohio. Dewine and Voinivich are the Senators who called for hearings.

I am glad you are goin to the folks who can offer or want to offer aid for your outcome. I will keep in touch. F Vol

By RPCV Yemen (dialup-4.233.140.221.dial1.manchester1.level3.net - 4.233.140.221) on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 12:43 pm: Edit Post

If anyone is still reading this thread and would like to join fellow RPCVs with OWCP claims, please visit:

groups.yahoo.com/group/owcp