Aldric Saucier (April 29, 1936 – December 8, 2016) was an American scientist and whistleblower. Saucier lost his job and security clearance after he criticized the Strategic Defense Initiative in 1992.
Aldric Saucier | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 29, 1936 Maine, U.S. |
| Died | December 8, 2016 (aged 80) Fairfax, Virginia, U.S. |
| Occupation | Scientist |
Early life
editCareer
editSaucier started his career as a navigator with the United States Army Air Corps.[1] In 1969, he worked on Apollo 11.[1] He also worked on "the Ballistic Missile Defense Ground based free electron laser in 1983 and the Star Wars Program in 1991."[1]
In October 1986, while working on the Strategic Defense Initiative (also known as Star Wars), Saucier sent a letter of complaint to James A. Abrahamson, alleging a pattern of "mismanagement and abuse,"[3] as well as "wasteful spending on research and development."[4] By 1987, he was demoted.[5] In February 1992, he was dismissed on the grounds of poor performance.[3] His mental health was also "question[ed]" by his detractors,[6] and he was surveilled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.[7] However, Democratic Congressman John Conyers believed it was done in retaliation,[3] and he asked Army Secretary Michael P. W. Stone to overturn the dismissal,[5] which he did.[8] By March 1992, the allegations were reviewed by Defense Secretary Dick Cheney, and Saucier was given whistleblower protection.[4] By April 1992, his security clearance was revoked after the Army found an error on a form he had filled out in 1969, where it was claimed he had graduated from UCLA instead of simply attending classes there.[9][10]
Saucier was represented by the Government Accountability Project.[10][11]
In 1996, Saucier ran for Congress in Maine's 2nd district as an independent. He came in third with 4.7% of the vote, in a race that was won by incumbent Democrat John Baldacci.
Personal life and death
editSaucier resided in Fort Fairfield, Maine, until he moved to Fairfax, Virginia, where he died on December 8, 2016, at age 80.[1][2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Aldric Saucier". Bangor Daily News. December 12, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
- ^ a b "Aldric Saucier Obituary". Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
- ^ a b c Evans, David (February 18, 1992). "Star Wars Whistleblower Fired: Lawmaker Predicts A Fight Over Army's 'Retaliation'". The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
- ^ a b "Scientist Said to Assert Fraud in 'Star Wars'". The New York Times. March 2, 1996. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
It added that the directive had also conferred "whistle-blower" status on Mr. Saucier, who was dismissed last month from his job with the Star Wars project. [...] Mr. Saucier also said that there had been diversions of funds and that wasteful spending on research and development had occurred.
- ^ a b Cushman, John H. Jr. (March 3, 1992). "Whistleblower Wins Study of 'Star Wars' Program". The New York Times. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
- ^ Begley, Sharon (March 22, 1992). "A Safety Net Full of Holes". Newsweek. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
Pentagon scientists criticize Saucier's work and even question his sanity.
- ^ Foerstel, Herbert N. (2010). Toxic mix? A Handbook of Science and Politics. Santa Barbara, California: Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 43–44. ISBN 978-0-313-31166-6. OCLC 845668255.
Suddenly, he became the victim of FBI surveillance and break-ins, had his security clearance arbitrarily revoked, and was threatened with dismissal.
- ^ "Whistle-Blower's Firing Is Blocked". The Los Angeles Times. February 23, 1992. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
- ^ Evans, David (April 15, 1992). "Army Again Targets Fraud Whistle-blower". The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
- ^ a b Lardner, George Jr. (April 14, 1992). "Army Accuses SDI Critic of Falsifying Credentials". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
- ^ "Whistle-Blower Gains a Pentagon Reprieve". The New York Times. March 8, 1992. Retrieved August 26, 2017.