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NWC Demands Release of FDA Spying Documents |
Washington, D.C. June 1, 2012. On Wednesday May 30, 2012, the National Whistleblowers Center filed a motion for preliminary injunction under the Freedom of Information Act in U.S. District Court in DC seeking to compel the FDA to immediately release all documents concerning the FDA's spying program. Pursuant to the rules governing preliminary injunctions, the judge is required to hold a hearing on the motion within 20 days and rule in an expedient fashion. If the NWC prevails, the FDA will be required to produce the documents regarding the nature and scope of their illegal spying program.
According to a limited amount of documents
obtained by the NWC, the FDA conducted special targeted monitoring of
employees who blew the whistle on managers' misconduct in approving
unsafe medical devices. The FDA installed (or activated) spyware on
their workplace computers and used other technology to monitor their
password protect Gmail-to-Gmail communications to Congress, the Office
of Special Counsel and other oversight authorities.
Lindsey Williams, Director of Advocacy and Development for the National Whistleblowers Center, stated:
The FDA has been stalling the release of these documents. We believe
that the FDA is attempting to cover-up massive misconduct by failing to
publicly release these documents. The public should know how extensive
the spying program was and if the managers intercepted personal
information in an attempt to discredit the employees.
It is critical that the FDA immediately release the documents related to
their illegal spying program. The program has created a chilling effect
throughout the federal government. Federal employees must feel free to
report their concerns to Congress and OSC. Targeting whistleblowers who
make protected disclosures for intrusive surveillance is an outrageous
violation of the 1st and 4th Amendment.
Links:
NWC Preliminary Injunction
NWC Action Alert
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