Update to this... this woman was allowed to retire. She has been with the agency for 22 years and I believe was only about 3 years from be able to retire no matter what. She seemed annoyed and frustrated about it. I went to congratulate her and she was kind of rude and short. Of course... I feel for her. She is moving back to a very low cost of living state with a pension that is calculated on a high cost of living state.

The job was advertised so... everyone knows what happened.

Everyone said, are you gonna apply? Nope... nope nope. But I will be happy to stoke the flames of gossip and imply that he fired her to cover up his own mistake.