FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 23, 2020
Government Accountability Project Condemns Whistleblower Retaliation in Texas Attorney General Office
WASHINGTON—Two whistleblowers have been fired from the Texas attorney general’s office after submitting a complaint that their boss, Attorney General Ken Paxton, had been abusing the power of his office, as reported by The Texas Tribune. Blake Brickman and Lacey Mase, who had both formerly served as deputy attorneys general, joined seven other aides in blowing the whistle on behavior they described as “violating federal and/or state law including prohibitions related to improper influence, abuse of office, bribery and other potential criminal offenses” to law enforcement.
The Texas attorney general’s website itself describes the state’s whistleblower protection act as a defense for “public employees who make good faith reports of violations of law by their employer to an appropriate law enforcement authority. An employer may not suspend or terminate the employment of, or take other adverse personnel action against, a public employee who makes a report under the Act.” Because of this, whistleblowers like Brickman and Mase deserve to be heard, not retaliated against for their disclosures.
Our CEO and Executive Director Louis Clark commented:
“By firing these courageous individuals, the Texas attorney general is sending a clear message to whistleblowers: disclose information that you reasonably believe evidences corruption at your peril. This chilling message is unacceptable and undermines effective, efficient, and accountable government. There must be an independent and thorough investigation of the underlining whistleblower allegations and the probable retaliation against these whistleblowers, which has the appearance of an unlawful cover-up. Government Accountability Project supports these whistleblowers and their legally-protected right to expose wrongdoing.”
Contact: Andrew Harman, Communications Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 457-0034 x156
Government Accountability Project
Government Accountability Project is the nation’s leading whistleblower protection organization. Through litigating whistleblower cases, publicizing concerns and developing legal reforms, Government Accountability Project’s mission is to protect the public interest by promoting government and corporate accountability. Founded in 1977, Government Accountability Project is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.
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