Hello. My name is Scott Ashcraft, a 32-year career archaeologist for the US Forest Service.

Prior to 2020, I, and some of my colleagues, had begun alerting Forest Service (NFsNC) management officials to newly discovered ancient ancestral Native American artifacts and archaeological sites across the Southern Appalachians, and their significance to ancestral Tribes including the Cherokee, Catawba, and Muscogee-Creek. Despite mine and my colleagues’ repeated warnings and recommendations, NFsNC management used bureaucratic loopholes to escape responsibility and their lawful duty to preserve and protect significant cultural heritage resources. Scientific evidence was hidden, employees were muzzled and bullied, and large land development projects continued.

As an employee, under this current management, I continued to have to witness the unlawful damage and irreparable destruction to our nation’s heritage, significant historic and prehistoric sites, and Native American sacred places.

In my role and duty as Heritage Programs Manager, I continued to warn management and make recommendations, which were also dismissed and ignored.

Someone had to speak up! So in 2023,

I filed a formal Whistleblower Complaint with the USDA Office of Inspector General reporting

The National Forests in North Carolina’s (NFsNC) continuous blatant violations of Federal laws created to protect and preserve cultural heritage resources and archaeological sites and

The agency’s continued willful destruction of irreplaceable cultural resources under their management.

Immediately following, in direct violation of Federal Whistleblower Protection Laws, I became subject to a 3-year targeted campaign of harassment, intimidation, and retaliation by NFsNC leadership, supported by complicit staff who cooperated and were then, improperly rewarded and promoted.

I was forced into an unplanned and unwanted early retirement. The pension I had contributed to for 30 years, and my Thrift Savings retirement were substantially reduced because of this.

Now, after years of moving through every required legal step, my case is finally on the docket before the

United States Merit Systems Protection Board.

Ashcraft vs. The US Forest Service, USDA

Docket # DC-1221-25-2999-W-1

I’m asking for financial help to keep this legal case moving forward all the way through the entire MSPB process, where I am seeking justice and accountability for the Forest Service’s (NFsNC) corruption and wrongdoing against its employees and the public.

Unfortunately, for the common citizen, a fight against the US government for justice and accountability is not free, or even cheap. It is a lengthy, grueling process with crushing legal/attorney fees and other associated expenses. In addition to what we’ve already lost and spent (please see the breakdown below), getting the case all the way through the MSPB process could cost tens of thousands more.

We’ve come this far, but our savings has taken a huge hit and financial resources are running out quickly.

So, we are now asking for a concerned public’s help…..your help, in:

Making sure the alarm gets heard by the public and by congressional oversight committees

Making sure this case gets all the way through the MSPB process.

Moving the needle towards justice, accountability, and systemic change and reform.

Because, like you also may……. we deeply believe the US Forest Service and NFsNC must be held accountable for their destructive policies and irresponsible actions and for perpetuating a culture where ethical employees who speak up are harassed and intimidated.

Please know this.

No amount is too small. Every little bit helps and we humbly appreciate any financial gift you could make.

With heartfelt thanks.

Sincerely,

Scott Ashcraft

To find out more about why I blew the whistle, visit:

www.scottashcraft.com

Please share this GoFundMe with friends, colleagues, family who may also have an interest in this cause and effort.

Fundraising Goal Breakdown

(all numbers represent actual known amounts or best estimated amounts from receipts and invoices)

Attorney Retainer Fees Since 1st Filing Whistleblower Complaint in 2022

(funds we owe and must repay) borrowed funds from a friend

35,000.00

(funds we owe and must repay) principal remaining on bank loan

15,000.00

Funds spent from our long-term savings

40,000.00

Retirement Savings Loss

Long term realized retirement savings loss from forced early retirement resulting in reduced pension and Thrift Savings principal and term of annuity

129,000.00

Other Costs Directly Associated With Fighting This Case To Bring About Accountability, Justice, and Systemic Change and Reform Since First Filing the Whistleblower Complaint in 2022

Monthly payments on attorney retainer 15,000.00 bank loan

8,400.00

Professional hired help with website, GoFundMe, navigating media and outreach, etc. (private, UpWork, and NVest)

5,000.00

Forfeited value of a coin collection and other personal belongings sold online and cost of mailing

2,500.00 - 5,000.00

Necessary expenditures directly associated with documentation, notifications, Legal/Tribal/Public and all other case-specific communications

2,500.00

Total

$237,400.00

Total GoFundMe proceeds already raised (Thank You So Much! ❤️)

- $13,193.00

Additional funds that may, potentially be needed to get case all the way through entire MSPB process (we will update fundraising goal only if these funds do, in fact, become necessary)

$25,000.00