I have received calls and emails asking why the NWC supports UBS whistleblower Brad Birkenfeld. This article published on Forbes.com helps answer that question. Mr. Birkenfeld, like countless other employees, blew the whistle because he believed it was the right thing to do. When Mr. Birkenfeld’s multiple efforts to correct the problem internally failed, he resigned. However, Mr. Birkenfeld did not stop there. He voluntarily approached the federal government to report the UBS tax fraud scheme. Some of the steps he took occurred before the IRS passed its whistleblower reward programs. Unfortunately, instead of protecting Mr. Birkenfeld, the Department of Justice (DOJ) chose to prosecute him. Mr. Birkenfeld will be starting a 40-month sentence on January 8, 2010. The precedent set by the DOJ treatment of Mr. Birkenfeld has sent a chilling message to future whistleblowers. Please take a minute to read “Whistleblowing: A Get-Rich-Quick Scheme?” and then TAKE ACTION by demanding that Attorney General Holder immediately and independently review Mr. Birkenfeld’s case.
