Tomasa Gabriella Bolanos-Reynoso, Petitioner v. Department of Agriculture

Tomasa Gabriella Bolanos-Reynoso asks the Supreme Court to review how the Merit Systems Protection Board and the Federal Circuit handled her whistleblower-retaliation claims against the Department of Agriculture. The question is whether an employee who timely raises disclosures under both categories in a federal whistleblower law must receive a Board decision on both.

The petition has been filed, and oral argument has not been scheduled. Bolanos-Reynoso argues that employees should receive fair consideration of all timely made whistleblower claims and the process protections Congress intended.

The case could affect federal civilian employees who report alleged waste, fraud, or abuse and then say they faced retaliation. For example, an employee who timely reports alleged wrongdoing under two protected categories could seek consideration of both claims.

The case asks whether the Merit Systems Protection Board must decide both categories of a federal employee's timely raised whistleblower disclosures.

Federal civilian employees who report alleged waste, fraud, or abuse could be affected if they raise claims under both protected disclosure categories.

The Court may schedule oral argument or take another scheduling action. No decision date is set.