White House: Top scientist mistreated staff, apologizes

By ZEKE MILLER
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A White House review has found credible evidence that top scientist Dr. Eric Lander violated its “Safe and Respectful Workplace Policy,” but the administration plans to keep him on the job after giving him counseling. Lander is the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and science adviser to President Joe Biden. An internal review last year, prompted by a workplace complaint, found evidence that Lander bullied staffers and treated them disrespectfully. That put him at odds with Biden’s day-one directive that he expected “honesty and decency” from all who worked for his administration and would fire anyone who shows disrespect to others “on the spot.”