Fierce Healthcare: Gov’t Recovers Record-High $2.8B in Whistleblower Fraud Cases
Summary: Earlier this week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that in fiscal year 2011, it recovered a record-breaking $2.8 billion in False Claims Act (FCA) cases, thanks to whistleblowers. In total, the DOJ recovered more than $3 billion from fraud cases, with $2.4 billion of that involving FCA cases related to the bilking of federal healthcare programs (like Medicare and Medicaid).
Related Article: Legal Times
The Alyona Show: Manning/Assange Link Found?
Summary: This segment features Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg discussing the pretrial hearing of Bradley Manning, the soldier accused of giving classified information to WikiLeaks. Ellsberg was thrown out of the hearing earlier this week after attempting to talk with Manning. He was later readmitted.
Ellsberg is also mentioned in this op-ed by Democracy Now!’s Amy Goodman, examining the various disclosures Manning made to WikiLeaks.
Bakersfield.com (CA): BCSD Wise to Protect District Whistleblower
Summary: The board of trustees for the school district in Bakersfield, CA has enacted a new whistleblower protection policy following an audit that alleged serious misconduct in the district’s maintenance and operations department.
Mid-Day (India): Whistleblowing Should Become a Duty – Mike Brearley
Summary: Three well-known Pakistani cricket players were sentenced to jail for their involvement in game-fixing. Now, the captain of the England team is urging other players to become whistleblowers if corruption in the game is to be stemmed.
Key Quote:"Whistle-blowing should become an absolute duty for everyone in the game if corruption has to be weeded out. Every player has to monitor the game and mentor young players," Brearley told the gathering.
Deccan Herald (India): Govt Hopes to Pass Other Anti-Graft Legislations
Summary: The Indian Parliament hopes to pass whistleblower protection legislation in the next few days, and the body's winter session may even be extended to do so.
Fox Memphis: Courtroom Showdown Over Judge’s Dismissal
Summary: A former Tennessee judge has filed a wrongful termination whistleblower suit, alleging she and her former boss were fired after they tried to expose “operational and financial mismanagement” to state and federal agencies.
Hannah Johnson is Communications Associate for the Government Accountability Project, the nation's leading whistleblower protection and advocacy organization.
