Yesterday, the National Whistleblower Center (NWC) received a letter from whistleblowers concerning our position on the Senate version of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (S. 372). Please take the time to read the two response letters. The first letter is from Dr. Frederic Whitehurst and Jane Turner, two FBI whistleblowers and members of the NWC’s Board of Directors. The second letter is from NWC Executive Director Stephen M. Kohn.
Letter from NWC Board Members Dr. Frederic Whitehurst and Ms. Jane Turner
Dear Whistleblower Community:
The National Whistleblowers Center (NWC) has received your letter. As both members of the NWC Board of Directors and federal employee whistleblowers, we would like to respond to your concerns.
We have the highest respect for the attorneys that donate their time and services to the NWC. Together they have over 90 years of experience representing whistleblowers across the country. Their knowledge and expertise were instrumental in helping us win our cases, despite all odds, under the current laws. We would not have survived without them.
The attorneys at the NWC carefully evaluated the Senate version of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (S. 372) before issuing its statements. The National Whistleblowers Center stands by its position and believes that it is in the best interest of all whistleblowers.
We encourage everyone to read the NWC’s most recent letter to the House and Senate sponsors of the whistleblower bill and the statement “S. 372: A Bad Deal for Whistleblowers” that was issued by the NWC, the Federal Ethics Center and the National Security Whistleblower Coalition. These statements are based on the NWC attorneys’ expert opinion on how the law will impact actual whistleblower cases after the victory celebrations over the law are long passed. We ask that you carefully review the actual Senate bill and draw your own opinion. The NWC supports the right of everyone to speak freely about whistleblower protection. However, we urge people to refrain from personal attacks that only distract from the issues at hand.
Respectfully,
Dr. Fredric Whitehurst
Director, Forensic Justice Project
National Whistleblowers Center
FBI whistleblower (Former FBI Supervisory Special Agent)
Jane Turner
Director, FBI Oversight Program
National Whistleblowers Center
FBI whistleblower (25 year veteran)