Head of US personnel office resigns

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

The embattled head of the government’s personnel office abruptly stepped down Friday, bowing to mounting pressure after the unprecedented breach of private information her agency was entrusted to protect.

Katherine Archuleta had served as director of the federal Office of Personnel Management since November 2013. The former national political director for President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign, Archuleta came under scathing criticism amid revelations this year that hackers – widely believed to be China’s government – had infiltrated her agency’s databases as well as background-check records for millions who applied for U.S. security clearances.

On Thursday, Archuleta had rebuffed demands that she resign, declaring she was “committed to the work that I am doing.” But her continued tenure at the agency grew untenable as calls from lawmakers – including members of Obama’s own party – mushroomed.