Image courtesy of GJKendBangor Daily News: Maine to Pay $65K to Worker Demoted after Testing about BPA
A Maine state employee was allegedly reassigned to a clerical job after she testified before a legislative committee about the dangers of BPA (a toxic chemical used in food packaging). In a settlement agreement, the state will pay her $65,000, and must provide training to workers about the state law that prohibits retaliation.
Jim Risen at the National Press Club: Democracy Cannot Survive Without Aggressive Journalism
Last night, at a National Press Club event entitled "Obama's War on Leaks," prominent New York Times journalist James Risen discussed how aggressive journalism is essential to our democracy, and how the Obama administration's crackdown on national security whistleblowers makes such journalism difficult. In her blog post, GAP National Security & Human Rights Director Jesselyn Radack discusses this event, and juxtaposes some DOJ statements about intelligence whistleblowers with the facts.
Bloomberg: Wealthy Americans Queue to Give Up Their Passports
Since whistleblower Bradley Birkenfeld exposed a $20 billion offshore illegal tax fraud scheme by Swiss banking giant UBS in 2008, the number of rich Americans who have renounced their U.S. citizenship has risen drastically in Switzerland.
Birkenfeld, whose disclosures began a crackdown on international tax cheats, is currently serving a 40-month prison sentence for his alleged role in tax evasion conspiracy. Despite blowing the whistle, he is the only UBS banker or executive to receive time in jail.
Asbury Park Press: Police Harassment Lawsuit in Jackson Settled for $950,000
A former New Jersey police detective, who allegedly suffered retaliation for testifying against two other policemen in a perjury case, has settled his whistleblower lawsuit against the local township for nearly $1 million.
Dylan Blaylock is Communications Director for the Government Accountability Project, the nation's leading whistleblower protection and advocacy organization.
