FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 8, 2020
Government Accountability Project Condemns Attacks Against Former State COVID-19 Data Scientist
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, a former state COVID-19 data scientist faced retaliation after speaking up for scientific integrity. CNN reported that about ten Florida police officers raided Rebekah Jones’s home – a Florida Department of Health data scientist who was fired in May – on December 7 and seized flash drives and computers. Jones, who created Florida’s coronavirus dashboard, had previously alleged that she was directed to manipulate data in order for Florida to reopen its economy. After speaking out against this wrongdoing, she was removed from her position. As a result, she filed a whistleblower complaint in July requesting to be reinstated with back pay.
Government Accountability Project condemns this attack against a whistleblower speaking up for truth amidst a devastating public health crisis.
Louis Clark, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Government Accountability Project, commented:
“We condemn this extreme government action to terrorize a whistleblower and her family because her revelations about the COVID-19 pandemic have embarrassed the governor. There does not seem to be an acceptable reason for ten law enforcement officers to enter the home with guns drawn to carry out a search warrant for what looks like illegal political reprisal.”
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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