First, as long as any civil claim brought against you as a federal employee arises from actions taken in the scope of your employment, the benefits protection programs offered to federal employees provide coverage, paying up to $1,000,000 in damages, regardless of whether your agency authorizes payment of the judgment from agency appropriated funds. These programs also will pay for private legal defense if DOJ will not defend you. If you suddenly find yourself facing a civil suit or criminal charges without DOJ representation, defending yourself can run $25,000 to well over $100,000 in legal fees. Second, the benefits protection programs have one very large added attraction, an administrative defense provision. This provision entitles a federal employee who is accused of some kind of wrongdoing in the course of rendering a professional service to have his/her legal fees paid for in an administrative investigation (including an investigation for alleged whistleblower reprisal by OSC or