Aldric Saucier
Aldric Saucier | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 29, 1936 Maine, U.S. |
| Died | December 8, 2016 (aged 80) Fairfax, Virginia, U.S. |
| Occupation | Scientist |
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.
Early life
[edit]Aldric Saucier was born on April 29, 1936, in Maine.[1][2]
Career
[edit]Saucier 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Defense Secretary Dick Cheney, and Saucier was given whistleblower protection.[4] By April 1992, his security clearance was revoked after the Army found an error on a form he had filled out in 1969, where it was claimed he had graduated from UCLA instead of simply attending classes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
[edit]Saucier 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.