Raymond Jefferson: Trial by Fire

In the spring of 2021, Raymond (Ray) Jefferson applied for a job in President Joseph Biden’s administration. Ten years earlier, false allegations were used to force him to resign from his prior U.S. government position as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans’ Employment and Training (VETS) in the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Two employees had accused him of ethical violations in hiring and procurement decisions, including pressuring subordinates into extending contracts to his alleged personal associates. The DOL Office of the Inspector General (OIG), headed by an interim inspector general, supported their claims. The Deputy Secretary of Labor gave Jefferson four hours to resign or be terminated. Jefferson filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. government to clear his name, which he pursued for eight years at the expense of his entire life savings. Why, after such a traumatic and debilitating experience, would Jefferson want to pursue a career in public service again?

The case explores Jefferson’s personal and professional journey from upstate New York to West Point to the Obama administration, and how he faced and addressed adversity at several junctures in his life. The case allows instructors to discuss resilience, career pathways and derailment, leadership style, and the pursuit of passion.