Our Story

Government Accountability Project was founded in 1977 in the wake of Daniel Ellsberg’s landmark release of the Pentagon Papers. After Ellsberg received fierce retaliation from the Nixon administration, it was clear something needed to be done to not only protect brave truth-tellers from government and corporate smear campaigns, but to combat rampant disinformation being foisted on the public by special interests.  

In an era when whistleblowers were commonly referred to as “snitches,” “turncoats,” and “stool pigeons” by the powers that be, Government Accountability Project took the bold step of serving as the vanguard in defending whistleblowers through legal action, promoting their reputational integrity in the court of public opinion, and spearheading legislative campaigns to facilitate truth-telling and improve protections for those who refuse to remain silent.  

Since then, Government Accountability Project has distinguished itself through its representation of over 8,000 clients who put their lives and livelihoods on the line to serve the greater good. From the pharmaceutical industry to Wall Street, to local and international governments, Government Accountability Project has tirelessly defended and advocated on behalf of those who speak up in the face of injustice. 

However, just as important to us as representing these brave individuals is our dedication to ensuring that the public is protected from waste, fraud, and abuse at the highest echelons of power. This is no easy task—the systems we take on are powerful with seemingly unlimited resources. Yet we remain steadfast and dauntless in carrying out our mission, no matter the cost.  

We believe truth deserves a champion, and with your help, we will continue to stand at the forefront in the fight for truth and justice. 

Mission Statement

Government Accountability Project’s mission is to promote corporate and government accountability by protecting whistleblowers, advancing occupational free speech, and empowering citizen activists. Founded in 1977, Government Accountability Project is the nation’s leading whistleblower protection and advocacy organization. Located in Washington, DC, Government Accountability Project is a nonpartisan, public interest group. In addition to focusing on whistleblower support in our stated program areas, we lead campaigns to enact whistleblower protection laws both domestically and internationally.

group of government accountability workers