Fort Collins Coloradoan: Whistleblower – VA Punished Me for not Cooking Books
A whistleblower from yet another Veterans Affairs clinic – this time a medical center in Fort Collins, Colorado – has stated that she was transferred and suspended from her position after refusing to hide long patient wait times from the federal government. The whistleblower’s allegation launched a federal investigation into the clinic.
Key Quote: The VA aims to see veterans within 14 days of desired appointment dates and uses it as a performance measure. It is a contributing factor to administrator bonuses, according to a VA spokesperson. [The whistleblower] said a spreadsheet detailed which schedulers met the 14-day goal.
This piece recaps the ongoing debate over anti-whistleblower Ag Gag bills, specifically highlighting the legal battle over the recently passed Idaho law that aims to thwart undercover investigations of wrongdoing at industrial farms. GAP’s Food Integrity Campaign is backing the lawsuit challenging the Ag Gag law’s constitutionality. The measure would criminalize whistleblowers who utilize undercover video to expose abuse.
Key Quote: The AFL-CIO warns that the effort could have a chilling effect on unions by making it more difficult for undercover organizers to land positions at companies where they are unwelcome, a practice known as “salting.” Ditto for whistleblowers, who in theory could be charged under the law if they were to record evidence to back up their allegations, according to the Government Accountability Project, a whistleblower protection and advocacy organization.
Brisbane Times: Cricketers’ Union Calls for Whistleblower Incentives
The leader of an international cricket players’ union is stating that an independent process for player-whistleblower disclosures must be created. This proclamation follows the confession of a New Zealand player who was involved in at least 12 fixed games during a three-year period.
Key Quote: “It’s absolutely critical to have an independent anti-corruption unit,” [the Union head] told ESPNcricinfo. “Whether it is exactly in its current form is something for people closer to it than me to judge, but I think it is critical we have an independent body investigating these issues. One because issues of corruption aren’t just limited to what happens on the field with the players, and if you work on the assumption that administrators could be also subject to anti-corruption investigations you have to have an independent body doing that.”
Port Huron Time Herald (Mi): Train Conductor Wins Whistleblower Case
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration has ruled in favor of a Canadian National Railway conductor who was fired for refusing to prematurely complete an inspection of a train before departing it.
Dylan Blaylock is Communications Director for the Government Accountability Project, the nation’s leading whistleblower protection and advocacy organization.