Companies closely linked to infamous security firm Blackwater (now "Xe") have been hired over the past few years by several multinational corporations, including agribusiness giant Monsanto. Blackwater companies reportedly offered to be the "intel arm" of Monsanto, including possible actions of infiltrating groups such as animal rights activists working to oppose Monsanto, and scanning activist blogs and websites.
The Tribune-Star (IN): Zoeller Updates Efforts
Greg Zoeller, Indiana's Attorney General, presented his latest initiative to give health care whistleblowers between 15 and 30 percent of any money recovered in Medicaid fraud suits.
Sacramento Business Journal: CalPERS Debuts Ethics Helpline
The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) -- the nation's largest of its kind -- announced on Wednesday that it is initiating a new whistleblower hotline, as well as a senior level risk management office. While often looked to as a model for modern fund handling, CalPERS has been receiving criticism lately for losing billions of dollars during the economic crisis due to poor risk management.
Food Safety News: Coburn to Reid - Don't Blame Me
Food safety legislation that was building momentum after the massive egg recall may not make it to the Senate floor for a vote, due to one Republican's objection to the bill's price tag. It is now unlikely the bill will be completed before midterm elections.
WBUR (NPR): Drug Alerts At Your Fingertips
A new application for mobile devices called MedWatcher, created by researchers at Children's Hospital Boston, aims to engage the public in scrutinizing drug safety. The free application allows users to view a drug's official FDA information, receive FDA alerts, and read anonymous consumer reports of its side effects. The application is part of a recent trend of bringing health care information to smartphones, and promoting more social interaction around health issues.
Lindsay Bigda is Communications Fellow for the Government Accountability Project, the nation's leading whistleblower advocacy organization.
