WOWT: Grassley Outlines Shortcoming in Proposed IRS Whistleblower Regulations
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)January 29, 2013
Summary: The Internal Revenue Service continues to fall short of fully including the whistleblower provisions written by Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley (R) in 2006. In a letter to top IRS and Treasury Department officials, the senator made clear that the federal government’s financial services continue to discourage whistleblowers from speaking out.
Huffington Post: Anti-Whistleblower (AgGag) Laws Threaten Human Health, the Environment and Animals
January 29, 2013
Summary: Bruce Friedrich of Farm Sanctuary illustrates how undercover video repeatedly exposes animal abuse at agricultural facilities, and the threat of so-called 'Ag Gag' bills in preventing the creation of such videos. He explains why new versions of the proposed laws, even without banning video, aim to silence would-be whistleblowers in the industry.
GM of Inter-American Investment Corporation Fails to Appear for DC Deposition, Leaves for Mexico
January 28, 2013
Summary: The former General Manager of the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC) – the private sector lending arm of the International Development Bank – failed to appear at a deposition in Washington DC earlier this month, having moved to Mexico immediately after resigning at the end of 2012. The IIC is being sued by one of its former employees for a failure to compensate for his services, though the trial is expected to expand and address the greater accountability and transparency problems of the IIC.
New York Post: Broadway Show’s Publicist Was Whistleblower on ‘Rebecca’ Investor Scam
January 29, 2013
Summary: A Broadway publicist tipped off key investors that they ‘might be throwing their money away,‘ by investing in the show ‘Rebecca.’ According to the publicist, the producer never even spoke on the phone with an investor supposedly putting $4.5 million into the production.
ABC: Phoenix Police Department Fires Kidnapping Whistleblower, Sgt. Phil Roberts
January 28, 2013
Summary: The Phoenix Police Department fired a 27-year veteran with a spotless record as an officer for writing memos that exposed several problems within the department, most notably the manipulation of kidnapping statistics. The department allegedly conducted a false investigation into the officer, eventually charging him on several counts, including using city property for personal gain … because he wrote the memos on City of Phoenix stationery.
New York Times: Russia Moves to Prosecute a Lawyer Who Died in Jail
January 28, 2013
Summary: In a move that could damage Russia’s image abroad, the government has posthumously put whistleblower Sergei L. Magnitsky on trial. Magnitsky, whose name was given to a law recently passed in the US, died in prison under suspicious circumstances after accusing the government of stealing millions of dollars.
Times of Malta: Whistleblower Rights Should Be in the Constitution
January 29, 2013
Summary: A spokesperson for the Alternative Democratic party in Malta's Parliament ensured that his party will fight this year for implementation of Malta’s constitutional whistleblower rights, as well as increased transparency to combat corruption in both the government and the private sector.
Jack Davis is Communications Associate for the Government Accountability Project, the nation's leading whistleblower protection and advocacy organization.
