| FBI Whistleblowers Speak Out Against S. 372 |
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Washington, D.C. March 3, 2010. Nationally recognized FBI whistleblower Dr. Frederic Whitehurst issued a letter today strongly opposing the repeal of FBI whistleblower rights contained in the current Senate version of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (S. 372). This bill is currently being "hotlined" for unanimous consent.
In the 1990's Dr.
Whitehurst blew the whistle on scientific abuses in the FBI crime
lab. He won his cases and as a result, President Clinton signed an
order protecting FBI agents who blow the whistle. The current Senate
bill repeals the Clinton order and the law it was based on. It will
result in the dismissal of numerous pending whistleblower cases,
including that of FBI Counterterrorism Unit Chief Bassem
Youssef.
Dr. Whitehurst wrote:
"Like most Americans I was looking forward to seeing President Obama and
Congress fulfill their promise to strengthen these whistleblower rights
that protect Americans. However, I was horrified to discover that the
Senate whistleblower bill does not do this. For national security
whistleblowers it does the exact opposite. S. 372 repeals the FBI
whistleblower protections that I sacrificed my career for."
Dr. Whitehurst's letter comes shortly after two other FBI
whistleblowers, Jane Turner and Sibel Edmonds, issued
a similar plea that the Senate bill be fixed.
Jane
Turner was a 25-year veteran Special Agent who was fired after she
complained that FBI agents had stolen "souvenirs" from the 9/11-crime
scene. Her case, currently pending under the current FBI whistleblower
law, would be dismissed if the S. 372 were signed into law. Sibel
Edmonds worked for the FBI as a translator. She identified about
major problems within the FBI's post-9/11 translation program. In a
case filed under the current FBI whistleblower law the Inspector General
issued a report vindicating her allegations. Under S. 372, the
Inspector General would lose jurisdiction to conduct similar
investigations.
To arrange interviews with Dr. Whitehurst, Jane Turner or Sibel Edmonds,
please contact Lindsey Williams at lmw@whistleblowers.org or
call 202-342-1903.
Links:
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