The Week: Assange Seeks Asylum at Ecuador Embassy; Faces Arrest
Summary: It was revealed yesterday that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has applied to the Government of Ecuador for political asylum. This comes shortly after the UK Supreme Court denied his appeal to reopen his case against extradition to Sweden, where he faced sexual assault allegations.
The UK police are now accusing him of violating his prison conditions, and said he could be arrested. Assange is currently out of reach of the police in the Ecuadorian embassy. GAP National Security & Human Rights Director Jesselyn Radack commented on this turn of events on RT yesterday, and in a blog post this morning.
Key Quote: “What’s interesting to me is that under the US standards for granting asylum, Assange would meet them. He has a valid fear of persecution for his political opinions, and a real fear that the government to which he would be extradited would not be able to [protect him] itself, or prevent a third party government from interfering and persecuting him,”Jesselyn Radack, national security and human rights director for the Government Accountability Project told RT in an interview.
Talking Points Memo: Former Whistleblowers – DOJ Leak Probe Isn’t Credible
Summary: Jesselyn Radack and NSA whistleblower/GAP client Thomas Drake are quoted in this article saying they don’t believe the Department of Justice’s “leak” probe is credible. They call for an independent special counsel instead of the federal prosecutors who answer to Attorney General Eric Holder.
Holder testified in Congress yesterday relating to the ‘Fast & Furious’ scandal – the Alchol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Bureau operation that put guns in the hands of Mexican drug cartels, which was first revealed by a whistleblower.
Key Quote: “I don’t think that investigation is going to lead anywhere, I think it’s a complete conflict of interest,” Jesselyn Radack, National Security and Human Rights Director for the Government Accountability Project, told TPM.
“Obviously some of these leaks come from the Justice Department, so if there were going to be a somewhat legitimate leak investigation, there would need to be a special counsel,” said Radack, who back in 2002 gave copies of emails she sent telling the FBI they couldn’t interview an American terrorism suspect without a lawyer present to Newsweek.
Pesticides in Produce, Baby Food, & Tap Water, Oh My!
Summary: A new report reveals how much pesticide residue is present in popular fruits and vegetables, including in some prepared as baby food. GAP's Food Integrity Campaign has the details.
High Country News: Gregory Jaczko’s Resignation Weakens Federal Nuclear Regulation
Summary: The head of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has resigned. He was known as someone who took his job seriously and made sure nuclear commissioners did their jobs in making plants run as safely as possible. His departure may be a significant loss to proper nuclear oversight.
Key Quote: Two weeks before he resigned as chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on May 21, Gregory Jaczko publicly wrist-slapped Southern California Edison, whose two-gigawatt nuclear plant now sits idle on the Southern California coast. Utility spokesman Stephen Pickett had just announced that the troubled facility could be back online before midsummer. Jaczko swiftly dashed that optimism...
The exchange shows why Jaczko so irritated the industry he oversaw.
Associated Press: Judge Reinstates Ky. Whistleblower Miner
Summary: A judge ruled that a Kentucky miner who blew the whistle on safety issues in the mines should be reinstated, and the company should pay $30,000 in fines for discriminatory practices.Related Article: WEKU (KY)
Summary: An ambulance service will pay $5.4 million to settle a whistleblower suit, filed on behalf of the federal government, that alleged “widespread, systematic” Medicare fraud.
Accounting Today: Dodd Defends Financial Reform Law and Whistleblowers
Summary: Former senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) recently addressed the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners conference, defending the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. He lauded the group for its support of the whistleblower provisions in the legislation.
