Whistleblower Lawyer & Attorney : National Whistleblower Legal Defense and Education Fund : Whistleblower Protection, Fraud Claims : Washington DC

As you know, we have been waging an intense campaign for new whistleblower protection laws. We have experienced recent victories and setbacks. And now, prominent whistleblowers like Bunny Greenhouse are calling us all to action. Throughout this campaign, our staff has been incredibly impressed with the level of support shown by our blog readers, facebook users, and all other online grassroots supporters. We have sent thousands of letters to Congress and we are achieving real change!!! 

This groundswell of support is driving a national conversation about whistleblower rights, which is evidenced by the fact that the national news media is paying very close attention to these recent developments. Just today, there are two stories in the Washington Post detailing the struggle for whistleblower protections for federal employees, and especially national security whistleblowers. See the links below for the articles.

"Advocates Determined to See Whistleblower Protections Pass"

"Obama, Gates at Odds Over New Whistleblower Protections"

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I am happy to say that we have received another significant endorsement for federal employee whistleblower protections. The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association has issued a statement in support of the Whistleblower provisions passed by the House of Representatives in the Economic Stimulus package last week, and is urging the Senate to pass the bill with the whistleblower provisions intact. Further, FLEOA is calling on President Obama to enact an executive order which would restore the careers of Law Enforcement Officers (including counterterrorism agents) who have had their careers destroyed after blowing the whistle.

Jon Adler, the National President of FLEOA had this to say about the retroactive protections:

"After abiding by their oath to uphold the laws of the Constitution, this small select group of federal law enforcement and counter-terrorism agents suffered unwarranted retaliation due to the ineffective and outdated federal Whistleblower Protection Act currently in effect."

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The Washington Independent published an article addressing the lack of protection offered to whistleblowers in the stimulus bill.  The article quoted Stephen Kohn, who states: "The biggest defect in the current language in the House and Senate versions, is about blowing the whistle internally." The bill protects only employees that report wrongdoings to Congress or an Inspector General, but does not provide protection to those that make internal reports to their own employers. Protecting taxpayer money with strong oversight and accountability safeguards is of extreme importance, therefore Congress must provide adequate protection for all whistleblowers. 

"Whistleblowers Vulnerable in Stimulus" by Daphne Eviatar

*Thelma Lizama (a NWC intern) contributed to this posting

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