WASHINGTON — A prominent Havana Syndrome victim is battling the State Department over accusations he has faced a “campaign of discrimination and retaliation” for his efforts to blow the whistle on the mysterious ailment.
Mark Lenzi, who suffered from Havana Syndrome while serving the US in China back in 2018, alleged that he faced “negative rumors about his management,” which led “to workplace ostracization and had an adverse” impact on his health.
Earlier this month, a federal court rejected the State Department’s bid to dismiss his suit, paving the way for a trial.
“As senator, Marco Rubio was a crucial lawmaker for me and my three family members to receive vital HAVANA Act designation status,” Lenzi told The Post about his battle with the department. “My family regarded him as nothing short of heroic for us.”
The Helping American Victims Afflicted by Neurological Attacks (HAVANA) Act gives financial aid to government workers who have suffered from the ailment.
“But as Secretary of State, he has been Missing In Action on this issue when I have needed him most and has stood by and done nothing while Deep State bureaucrats have retaliated against me for testifying to Congress about State Department efforts to cover up evidence,” he added.
Havana Syndrome is a condition that has afflicted US government personnel stationed overseas and led to symptoms such as ear pain, memory lapses, fatigue, migraines, dizziness, cognitive problems, and hearing loss.
The causes of it are not fully known, but there has been speculation that a foreign adversary used some sort of technology to target Americans. Lenzi is one of the most prominent whistleblowers, who testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee on it.
Lenzi has alleged that the Russians are using microwave technology to attack Americans.
That theory recently gained credence after bombshell news broke earlier this year that the Pentagon has been testing a device believed to be responsible for Havana Syndrome.
The device has been in Uncle Sam’s possession for over a year, but there’s reportedly an internal debate about whether it is the cause of the mysterious ailment.
Top lawmakers in Congress, such as House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), have alleged that the intelligence community has engaged in a cover-up of Havana Syndrome.
Lenzi was famously cited in a “60 Minutes” report on Havana Syndrome. He previously settled a separate lawsuit with the State Department alleging he was the victim of retaliation.
Back in June, the State Department cut off access to his email and office, according to court documents, which his lawyers alleged: “curtailed his ability to access information in pursuit of this lawsuit.”
The Post contacted the State Department for comment.
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