CBPCBP IA eliminates Tomsheck’s integrity program division

Customs and Border Protection Internal Affairs (CBP IA) created a new division named the Threat Mitigation Division (TMD). According to an internal document, this new division — officially launched on 13 April — merges the Integrity Program Division (IPD) with the Counterintelligence and Operations Liaison Group (CIOLG).

The merger of these two programs within CBP IA comes after James F. Tomsheck, senior executive at CBP IA, turned federal whistleblower in July 2014. At the time, Tomsheck accused CBP leadership, as well as CBP agents and officers, of violence, corruption, and graft in the performance of their duties along the Mexican border. Since taking over leadership at CBP IA, Tomsheck personally had developed, nurtured, and highlighted the IPD as an exemplary CBP IA division tasked with investigating CBP agents and officers accused of criminal or unprofessional actions.

After Tomsheck sought protection under the Whistleblowers Protection Act of 1989, federal investigators closely scrutinized IPD. There have been numerous allegations by CBP IA employees regarding IPD programs, procedures, and policies. These allegations against IPD include poor data stewardship and mismanagement with regard to case files and programs designed to target CBP employee violence and corruption. To date, no criminal charges have been announced regarding these allegations.

In recent months CBP IA leadership reassigned IPD’s former Director, Janine Corrado, and former Assistant Director, Jeffrey Matta, to other positions within DHS.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Anthony Triplett, the replacement for Tomsheck, named Michael C. Mines to serve as the Director of the new TMD. Dr. Susan Keverline will serve as the Deputy Director. Both Mines and Dr. Keverline have worked for many years in CBP IA and IPD.

The stated mission of the new Threat Mitigation Division at CBP IA is, “To identify internal and external threats to CBP’s mission, information and people, and to develop and implement strategies to mitigate the identified threat.”

— For more on Tomsheck and CBP IA, see these five articles by Robert Lee Maril: “CBP IA Operation Hometown reduces violence and corruption: Tomsheck shuts it down — Pt. 5,” HSNW, 27 April 2015; “CBP IA’s SAREX: Tomsheck’s program goes rogue – Pt. 4,” HSNW, 18 February 2015; “Tomsheck’s “July Amnesty”: CBP IA loses hundreds of cases alleging criminal activity by CBP Employees — Pt. 3,” HSNW, 12 January 2015; “James F. Tomscheck forced disabled veteran from CBP IA – Pt. 2,” HSNW, 24 November 2014; “Vet alleges supervisors at CBP IA ignored his disability: “He Just needed an ounce of compassion” — Pt. 1,” HSNW, 28 October 2014