Tom Devine Accepts Award on Behalf of Whistleblowers
The Coalition for Integrity presented their annual awards on October 30 to recognize individuals and groups for their work on transparency and commitment to anti-corruption. An award was presented to Government Accountability Project’s Legal Director Tom Devine, which he accepted on behalf of whistleblowers. This was a new award given to recognize the courage of whistleblowers in their pursuit of revealing corruption, abuse, and waste. The award comes at a time when the impact whistleblowers can have is in the foreground of the national narrative as the impeachment inquiry, prompted by a disclosure from an anonymous member of the intelligence community, highlights. Devine used the opportunity to discuss the importance of protecting whistleblowers and enabling their disclosures:
“The truth makes a difference. But despite their contributions, whistleblowers face horrible consequences.”
He added:
“These are the people who ask the hard questions and change the course of history.”
Devine is Legal Director at Government Accountability Project, an organization that represents and advocates on behalf of whistleblowers, where he has worked since 1979. Devine has represented or assisted in representing more than 7,000 whistleblowers during his time at Government Accountability Project, and clients that he has represented have gone on to win cases in U.S. courts of appeals and the Supreme Court. He has been the driving force behind 34 national and international whistleblower laws and has also traveled to 36 countries in an effort to advance whistleblower rights abroad, as well as at home. Devine has also authored and co-authored numerous books on whistleblowing.
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) also accepted awards for their work on transparency at the event.
Tom Devine (second from right) poses with other recipients and presenters.
Tom Devine meets with Chuck Grassley at the event.
Tom Devine receives the award on behalf of whistleblowers everywhere.
Tom Devine remarks on the importance of protecting whistleblowers after accepting the award.