NWC Condemns Failure of United States to Prosecute Tax Criminals

Washington, D.C. May 10, 2010. Whistleblower Bunnatine "Bunny" Greenhouse will speak on "Ethics and the Whistleblower" in conjunction with artist Marcia Annenberg's lecture and exhibition "News/Not News" at Boricua College in New York City on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 6:00 pm EST.

Mrs. Greenhouse will speak about her work as a public servant, and her commitment to preserving integrity, honesty and accountability in government contracting. Mrs. Greenhouse stood alone in opposing the approval of a highly improper multi-billion dollar no-bid contract to Halliburton for the reconstruction of Iraqi Oil. In return for her courage she was retaliated against and removed from her position as the Procurement Executive, the highest-ranking civilian-contracting official at the Army Corps of Engineers. Her case continues today.

Washington, D.C. May 3, 2010. In the wake of the gulf coast oil spill, Stephen M. Kohn, Executive Director of the National Whistleblowers Center, released the following statement:

We call upon BP and all other companies involved in offshore drilling operations to ensure that any employee who steps forward to expose deficiencies in the offshore drilling process is not retaliated against.

The United States Department of Labor and all appropriate offices must fully and immediately investigate any claims made by whistleblowers about BP's practices.

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Washington D.C. April 27, 2010. Today, former U.S. Special Counsel Scott Bloch pleaded guilty to criminal contempt of Congress for withholding "pertinent" evidence from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee concerning his misconduct in office.  Bloch was forced to resign in October 2008 amid allegations that he retaliated against employees and dismissed whistleblower cases without fully investigating them. 

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Washington D.C. April 15, 2010. Today, Bradley Birkenfeld, the whistleblower who exposed the $20 billion illegal UBS tax fraud scheme, filed a direct appeal to President Barack Obama and an official petition requesting clemency. The petition, which is now available online, calls on the president to immediately commute Mr. Birkenfeld's 40-month prison sentence to time served. Mr. Birkenfeld is currently incarcerated in the Schuylkill County federal prison.

Washington, D.C. April 14, 2010. Former UBS banker Bradley Birkenfeld , who is currently serving a 40-month sentence for one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States at Schuylkill County federal prison, will file a formal request for clemency to President Barack Obama on Tax Day, April 15, 2010.

Washington, D.C. April 7, 2010. 

March 23, 2010. Washington, D.C. Stephen M. Kohn, Executive Director of the National Whistleblowers Center, has agreed to participate in an independent debate with Mr. Norman L. Eisen, Special Counsel to the President for Ethics and Government Reform, regarding the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (S. 372), which is currently being "hotlined" in the Senate. Mr. Eisen has currently declined the invitation to participate in the debate.

 

Washington, D.C. March 22, 2010.  As part of the anti-fraud provisions of the health care legislation passed yesterday, Congress strengthened the False Claims Act - one of the most effective whistleblower laws in the United States - in order to ensure that whistleblowers can expose fraud under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

 

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S. 372 repeals existing FBI protections and expands state secrets privilege

Washington, D.C. March 10, 2010.  Prominent national security whistleblowers and advocacy groups issued a letter today urging the Senate to vote against the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2009 (S. 372) unless the dangerous national security whistleblower provisions are corrected.  This bill, which is currently being “hotlined” for unanimous consent, repeals existing FBI protections and strengthens the state secrets privilege.

The letter, signed by national security whistleblowers and respected advocates for national security employees, explains in detail the deficiencies in the Senate bill that will harm national security by covering up intelligence failures and civil liberties abuses: