Contact Nashville Whistleblower Attorney Timothy L. Milles Today if You Are Thinking of Blowing the Whistle
INTRODUCTION If you are thinking of blowing the whistle, call Nashville whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles
By providing strong whistleblower protections, the Whistleblower Protection Act helps to promote a culture of accountability and transparency within the government. When individuals feel safe to report wrongdoing, it becomes easier to identify and address issues that may be hindering the government's ability to serve the public effectively. This, in turn, can lead to increased trust in government institutions and greater confidence in the ability of elected officials to act in the best interests of their constituents. Ultimately, the Whistleblower Protection Act is an important tool for ensuring that the government remains accountable to the people it serves.
Whistleblowing is the act of revealing information that someone believes to be illegal, unethical, or against the public interest. Many famous whistleblowers have made headlines over the years for their bravery in exposing wrongdoing and coming forward and blowing the whistle. These individuals have risked their careers, reputations, and sometimes even their safety to speak truth to power. In this guide, we will examine some of the most notable cases of whistleblowing in recent history. Edward Snowden
One of the most famous cases of whistleblowing is the case of Edward Snowden, a former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor who leaked classified information to the media in 2013. Snowden revealed that the government was collecting data on millions of Americans without their consent, sparking a national debate about privacy rights. Some hailed Snowden as a hero for his actions, while others accused him of treason. Regardless of one's opinion of Snowden, his actions changed the way many people think about government surveillance.
Daniel Ellsberg
Another famous whistleblower is Daniel Ellsberg, who leaked the "Pentagon Papers" to the press in 1971. Ellsberg was a military analyst who worked on a top-secret study of the Vietnam War. When he realized that the government was lying to the public about the war, Ellsberg made copies of the study and gave them to the New York Times. The publication of the papers helped to turn public opinion against the war and contributed to the eventual end of the conflict.
Chelsea Manning
Chelsea Manning, a former United States Army soldier, is another famous whistleblower who leaked classified information to WikiLeaks in 2010. Manning was arrested, tried, and sentenced to 35 years in prison for her actions, but her sentence was commuted by President Barack Obama in 2017. Manning's disclosure brought attention to human rights violations and other abuses committed by the military during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Frank Serpico
Frank Serpico made history as the first law enforcement officer to publicly speak out against corruption within the New York Police Department. Throughout the 1960s and into the early 1970s, Serpico served as an undercover detective. In 1967, he reported instances of police corruption, such as bribes and illicit payments, but his efforts were initially ignored. When his internal attempts to address these issues proved futile, Serpico contributed to a 1970 New York Times article that exposed widespread corruption in the NYPD, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Knapp Commission. In 1971, Serpico was shot in the face during an arrest in Brooklyn. The circumstances surrounding the shooting were dubious and, although no official investigation took place, some believe it was a deliberate attempt by fellow officers to kill him.
After retiring from the NYPD in 1972, Serpico continued to endure ongoing pain and partial deafness from the shooting incident. His story inspired the 1973 film "Serpico," with Al Pacino portraying him, and the 2017 documentary "Frank Serpico," which features Serpico narrating his experiences in his own words. Vera English
During her tenure as a lab technician at a General Electric-run nuclear facility in 1984, Vera English became increasingly alarmed by the recurrent radioactive spillages. She reported these issues to her supervisor and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, but her concerns were ignored, and she was subsequently dismissed from her position. Following a prolonged legal struggle, her case, English v. General Electric Company, reached the Supreme Court, establishing a significant precedent that allowed whistleblowers to file claims under state law. This landmark decision not only reinforced whistleblower protection laws within the nuclear energy sector but also highlighted the applicability of such laws in safeguarding individuals from corporate retaliation.
Joe Darby
In 2004, Army reservist Joe Darby submitted a CD with images of prisoner abuse and torture at Abu Ghraib to the U.S. Army’s Criminal Investigation Division. These images were subsequently broadcast on 60 Minutes, sparking international outrage. Although seven officers stationed at the Iraqi military prison were swiftly removed and later prosecuted, Darby's whistleblowing had far-reaching implications. Initially, members of the Bush administration tried to depict the photos as isolated acts by a few cruel individuals, but the investigations into Abu Ghraib led to heightened scrutiny and subsequent improvements in detainee treatment conditions.
Mark Whitacre
In 1992, Archer Daniel Midland's corporate vice president approached the FBI with potentially incriminating details about the company. Mark Whitacre, who became the central figure in the 2009 movie The Informant, collaborated with the FBI for a three-year covert mission to uncover the company's price-fixing activities. Although Whitacre was granted immunity for his actions during his tenure at the company, he still faced consequences for embezzling $9 million while working undercover. Ultimately, Whitacre received a nine-year federal prison sentence for his misconduct, whereas the longest sentence given to an ADM employee implicated in the crimes Whitacre exposed was 30 months. For nearly twenty years, there have been ongoing efforts by both citizens and government officials to secure a Presidential pardon for Whitacre.
Peter Buxton
As a disease investigator for the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS), Peter Buxton exposed the unethical Tuskegee Syphilis Study, which was conducted by the PHS and the CDC. This study, which targeted impoverished African American sharecroppers from 1932 to 1972, aimed to observe the progression of untreated syphilis. Despite penicillin becoming widely available as a treatment by 1947, the study persisted. By the time it ended, 128 participants had died from syphilis or its complications, 40 of the participants' wives had contracted the disease, and 19 children were born with congenital syphilis.
Buxton first raised ethical concerns about the study in 1966. The CDC, which had taken over control by then, dismissed Buxton's objections and insisted on continuing the study to its fatal conclusion—allowing all participants to die and then conducting autopsies. In 1972, Buxton took his concerns to the media. The resulting public outrage led to a review and subsequent termination of the study. In 1974, the NAACP successfully won a class action lawsuit on behalf of the participants and their descendants. Following these events, Congress created the Office for Human Research Protections. Karen Silkwood
In 1972, Karen Silkwood commenced her career as a chemical technician at the Kerr-McGee nuclear facility near Crescent, Oklahoma. As a member of the local Oil, Chemical & Atomic Workers Union, she took an active role in investigating health and safety issues within the plant. Silkwood uncovered multiple safety hazards, including worker exposure to contamination and defective respiratory equipment. She presented her findings to the United States Atomic Energy Commission during the summer of 1974.
Silkwood passed away in a car crash on November 13, 1974, at the age of 28 under suspicious conditions: although officials classified the incident as an accident, the presence of paint on the rear bumper of her new vehicle and missing documents related to plant safety led many to speculate that she might have been deliberately driven off the road. At the time of her death, Silkwood was en route to meet with a New York Times reporter to discuss plutonium contamination. The Kerr-McGee plant was closed in 1975, and by 1979, Silkwood’s father and children had successfully sued Kerr-McGee on behalf of her estate. Meryl Streep received an Academy Award nomination for her depiction of Karen Silkwood in the 1984 movie "Silkwood." CONCLUSION
In conclusion, whistleblowers play an important role in exposing wrongdoing and promoting transparency by blowing the whistle. While they may face backlash and even backlash from those in power, their actions often bring about positive change. The cases of Snowden, Ellsberg, and Manning have shown that whistleblowers can challenge the government's status quo and make a lasting impact on public policy. It is important to recognize and protect the rights of whistleblowers with laws with strong whistleblower protections, as they often risk everything to do what they believe is right.
IF YOU ARE THINKING OF BLOWING THE WHISTLE, CONTACT NASHVILLE WHISTLEBLOWER ATTORNEY TIMOTHY L. MILES TODAY Call Nashville whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles if you are considering blowing the whistle
If you have knowledge of fraud against or by the federal government and are considering blowing the whistle, contact Nashville whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles who can guide you through the whistleblower process and explain your whistleblower protections. The consultation is free and confidential. Just complete the form to get started or call (855) 846–6529 or [email protected]..
Ask a Nashville Whistleblower attorney, you could be entitled to a significant whistleblower award.
NASHVILLE WHISTLEBLOWER ATTORNEY
TIMOTHY L. MILES, ESQ. The Law Offices of Timothy L. Miles Tapestry at Brentwood Town Center 300 Centerview Dr., #247 Brentwood, TN 37027 Phone: (855) 846–6529 Email: [email protected] NASHVILLE WHISTLEBLOWER ATTORNEY TIMOTHY L. MILES Nashville attorney Timothy L. Miles is a nationally recognized shareholder rights attorney raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Miles has dedicated his career to representing shareholders, employees, and consumers in complex class-action litigation. Whether serving as lead, co-lead, or liaison counsel, Mr. Miles has helped recover hundreds of millions of dollars for defrauded investors, shaped precedent-setting decisions, and delivered real corporate governance reforms. Judges and peers have repeatedly recognized Mr. Miles’ relentless advocacy for the underdog, as well as his unbendable ethical standards. Mr. Miles was recently selected by Martindale-Hubbell® and ALM as a 2022 Top Ranked Lawyer, 2022 Top Rated Litigator. and a 2022 Elite Lawyer of the South. Mr. Miles also maintains the AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, their highest rating for both legal ability and ethics. Mr. Miles is a member of the prestigious Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers: The National Trial Lawyers Association,Class Action: Class Action: Top National Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association (2023), a superb rated attorney by Avvo, a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Premier Lawyers of America (2019) and recognized as a Distinguished Lawyer, Recognizing Excellence in Securities Law, by Lawyers of Distinction (2019); a Top Rated Litigator by Martindale-Hubbell® and ALM (2019-2022); America’s Most Honored Lawyers 2020 – Top 1% by America’s Most Honored (2020-2022). Mr. Miles has published over sixty articles on various issues of the law, including class actions, whistleblower cases, products liability, civil procedure, derivative actions, corporate takeover litigation, corporate formation, mass torts, dangerous drugs, and more. Please visit our website or call for free anytime. Comments are closed.
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