Washington, D.C. Oct. 8, 2008. The United States Supreme Court heard oral argument today in the employee-rights case of Crawford v. Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. The case will set national precedent on the issue of whether witnesses in internal company investigations are protected from retaliation.

Washington, D.C. September 2, 2008. On Thursday U.S. District Judge Robert H. Cleland issued an order in the case of former U.S. Assistant District Attorney Richard Convertino, granting Mr. Convertino's motion to compel the deposition of Detroit Free Press reporter David Ashenfelter.  The judge's ruling allows Mr. Convertino access to critical information in his Privacy Act claim against the Department of Justice.

Unit Chief discloses shortfalls in war on terror

Washington, D.C. May 22, 2008. FBI Counterterrorism Whistleblower Bassem Youssef testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security on Wednesday, May 21, 2008.

Washington, D.C. September 29, 2008. The National Whistleblowers Center announced today that it is releasing the second volume in its "Whistleblower Laws" series, a legal reference that assists whistleblowers, community activists and journalists. The newest book, False Claim Acts: Federal, State and Municipal Qui Tam Laws , outlines all current laws that allow a private citizen to file a lawsuit "blowing the whistle" on irresponsible contractors who bilk government agencies. Under these laws, the whistleblower can be awarded a portion of the taxpayer monies recovered.

Reply Brief Filed in Whistleblower Tax Case, Murphy v. IRS

Washington, D.C. April 24, 2008. In 1996, Congress - in a middle-of-the-night backroom deal - reversed nearly eighty years of tax law. They stripped whistleblowers (along with all other victims of civil rights violations) of their right to be "made whole" after suffering emotional distress or loss of reputation. Attorneys for the National Whistleblowers Center, in Murphy v. IRS , fought the constitutionality of this law all the way to the Supreme Court. This week, the Supreme Court refused to hear the case, so now -- 12 years later -- we must turn back to Congress and ask them to pass the Civil Rights Tax Relief Act of 2007.

Take Action for Victims! Click Here to Email your Representatives!

Washington, D.C. March 10, 2008. Today the Department of Justice Inspector General’s office has released yet another report confirming that the highest ranking FBI counterterrorism officials violated the Patriot Act when authorizing warrantless searches of over 3000 phone numbers through the use of National Security Letters (“NSL”). These Letters, authorized under the Patriot Act, permit FBI managers to sign search warrants without judicial notification or approval.

February 27, 2008. Washington, D.C. The National Whistleblowers Center has joined an amicus curiae brief submitted to the Supreme Court to support the rights of FOIA requesters.  The amicus brief was filed by the National Security Archive, OpenTheGovernment.org, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, the National Whistleblowers Center, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

• FBI Agent Faults Counterterrorism Work
• The Open Case of Agent Turner, July 23, 2007, by Tad Vezner, Pioneer Press

February 27, 2008. Washington, D.C. The Senate Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing entitled “The False Claims Act Correction Act (S. 2041): Strengthening the Government's Most Effective Tool Against Fraud for the 21st Century” on Wednesday, February 27, 2008. Stephen M. Kohn, President of the National Whistleblowers Center, submitted written testimony to the committee which was entered into the record of the hearing. View Stephen Kohn’s testimony here.