Even though Faisal Gill has yet to announce his candidacy to run for political office (51st District of the House of Delegates, a seat now held by Michele McQuigg), BVBL has already has at least five posts attacking the integrity Faisal Gill (here, here, here, here, and here). This strikes me as a bit extreme. So I decided to continue providing an alternative point of view.
An acquaintance of mine who is a friend of Faisal Gill provided me a copy the story below from Potomac News.
Gill fit to hold positionBy DANIEL DREW
ddrew@potomacnews.com
Sunday, August 1, 2004Federal officials finished an investigation into the reinstatement of a Prince William attorney and Republican activist to a post in the Department of Homeland Security’s information analysis office and concluded he is fit to hold his position, a spokesman said.
Faisal Gill, who works as a special assistant in the office, was suspended for few days several months ago.
He was cleared of any concern,said Brian Roehrkasse, Homeland Security spokesman. Gill’s background has since been fully examined, according to officials.
Reached by telephone Friday, Gill referred all inquiries to Homeland Security’s press office.
Roehrkasse refused to say what led to Gill’s initial suspension and why his reinstatement had become the subject of an investigation.
According to reports published on the Fox News Web site and Salon.com, Gill had been accused of not reporting alleged ties to the American Muslim Council when filling in forms for a background investigation. The council, which no longer exists, had suspected affiliations with terrorist supporters, both Web sites reported.
Roehrkasse refused to describe Gill’s job responsibilities and would not address specific accusations but said Gill filled out all paperwork required and provided the appropriate information on all forms used by background investigators.
The investigation into Gill’s quick return to duty was conducted by Homeland Security Inspector General Clark Kent Ervin.
A spokeswoman said Ervin had no comment.
Background investigations for Homeland Security appointees are coordinated by the department’s Office of Security and carried out by FBI or Secret Service agents, or officials with the federal Office of Personnel Management.
Gill is considered a Schedule C political appointee. It was unclear when Gill, a Pakistani immigrant who has been active in local Republican groups, was named to his post, or by whom. White House officials did not immediately return telephone calls seeking comment Friday.
Schedule C appointments require approval from the White House Office of Presidential Personnel or of OPM.
Gill, a Navy veteran who served as a judge advocate general and ethics officer, had also worked as an attorney with OPM.
Last year Gill advised the Prince William County Political Action Committee, which was affiliated with the Platform for Active Civil Empowerment. The non-partisan group works to empower local Muslims in the political process in the county and two cities.
