1. Home
  2. |Insights
  3. |DoD Memo Recalls 'Essential' Civilian Workers

DoD Memo Recalls 'Essential' Civilian Workers

Client Alert | 1 min read | 10.09.13

On October 5, Secretary Hagel issued guidance relating to DoD's implementation of the Pay Our Military Act (POMA), which passed just hours before the government "shutdown" at midnight on September 30 and provides for funding certain DoD functions while interim or full-year appropriations for FY 2014 are not in effect. The memo, crafted in consultation with DOJ, states that POMA permits funding for active duty military and civilian employees "whose responsibilities provide support to service members providing active service and their families" and "contribute to sustaining capabilities and Force Readiness" (a list which at least initially did not include DCAA auditors, CIO functions, or DCMO functions, although it appears that at least some auditors at some locations have been recalled) and permits expenditure of "such sums as are necessary to provide pay and allowances to contractors of DoD who[m] the Secretary determines are providing support to members of the Armed Forces in active service" (though the memo notes that DoD lawyers are still analyzing what that means).


Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 09.15.25

Senate Finance Committee Looking to Take White River to the Train Station, Confirms DOJ Investigation into Tribal Tax Credits

On August 19, 2025, the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance (“Senate Finance Committee”) sent Paul Atkins, Chairman, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a letter calling on the SEC to investigate White River Energy Corp (“White River”). In the letter, the Senate Finance Committee confirmed a criminal investigation into White River related to the sale of so-called “tribal tax credits” that according to both Congress and the IRS, do not exist. The letter further states that White River allegedly earned millions of dollars selling these credits and has not been forthcoming with investors regarding the existence of the criminal investigation. According to the Senate Finance Committee, White River has failed to file financial disclosure documents with the SEC since March 15, 2024, missing six consecutive reporting periods. The letter instructs White River to disclose the existence of the DOJ criminal tax investigation, and calls on the SEC to take action if White River fails to do so....