An ex-senior official from the Biden administration, who played a role in restoring J Robert Oppenheimer’s security clearance posthumously, claims he was dismissed from his position due to false sexual harassment claims, according to a legal filing.
Frank Rose, formerly second-in-command at the agency’s National Nuclear Security Administration until April last year, has filed a lawsuit against a former associate. He alleges she used their professional connection at a think tank for personal gain before turning against him after he assisted her in securing employment in the Biden administration, New York Post reported.
The lawsuit, filed on March 27 in Alexandria City Circuit Court, states that Kathryn Hewitt allegedly conspired to portray him as a “predator” in media outlets. The filing asserts that Hewitt’s allegations were “intentionally fabricated, false, and politically motivated”.
In a separate legal action filed in DC federal court, Rose contends that the NNSA failed to inform him of the workplace misconduct accusations or provide him an opportunity for an investigative interview before his dismissal.
The situation bears similarities to Oppenheimer’s case, whom Rose helped vindicate three years ago. The lawsuit states that Rose has since been unsuccessful in over 20 job applications despite his qualifications, and his professional reputation has suffered significantly.
A controversial Politico article published during Rose’s departure suggested inappropriate behaviour, including claims that female colleagues needed to be “cautious” around him. The article referenced an alleged incident where he made an unsuitable comment to a female foreign government representative.
Sources familiar with Rose described him as scholarly, friendly, and occasionally “harmlessly awkward”, expressing surprise at the allegations. They emphasised his mentoring approach and open-door policy.
The legal documents indicate that Rose and Hewitt worked together at the Brookings Institution from 2018 to 2019. Despite earlier tensions, Rose provided career guidance and recommended her for an NNSA position before his tenure ended in April 2024.
Hewitt, now serving as director for nuclear forensics at the Defense Department, has declined to comment directly. Her legal representative stated that a response to the allegations would be forthcoming.
The NNSA has not commented on the ongoing litigation, and no federal attorneys have joined the case yet, according to Rose’s legal team.