A whistleblower is any person, or group of persons, who take it upon themselves to raise an alert about a possible wrongdoing. Whistleblowers speak out when no one else will, and right a wrong to which many would rather ignore. In almost all cases, the whistleblower is a member of, or have a vested interest in an agency or organization being informed on. Under state and federal law, several protections apply to whistleblowers in Massachusetts.
The alleged wrongdoing can be any number of things, to include violations of internal policies as well as local and federal laws. These things may be indicators of a culture of fraud or corruption within the organization, but the alleged wrongdoing is almost always a standalone threat to public interest or society in general. Internal whistleblowers, with first-hand knowledge of violations as a member of their organization, are often put under pressure when they attempt to report these violations. The fear of punishment for not keeping quiet about possible misconduct makes many people hesitant to speak up.
The alleged wrongdoing can be any number of things, to include violations of internal policies as well as local and federal laws. These things may be indicators of a culture of fraud or corruption within the organization, but the alleged wrongdoing is almost always a standalone threat to public interest or society in general. Internal whistleblowers, with first-hand knowledge of violations as a member of their organization, are often put under pressure when they attempt to report these violations. The fear of punishment for not keeping quiet about possible misconduct makes many people hesitant to speak up.
For these reasons, if you know of a possible wrong doing or inconvenient truth, which affects public interest, please do not hesitate to contact an attorney and seek protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act. Please, do the right thing, for public good.
Note: This message is not from an attorney or an expert in the Whistleblower Protection Act. Please seek an attorney for legal advice.
Very useful information. Developers also try to quash citizen participation and activism by threatening to sue them. I believe that's where the Massachusetts anti-SLAPP statute, Mass.Gen. Laws ch. 231, § 59H, comes into play. Anti-SLAPP statutes, which have been adopted by several states, are meant to provide a way to quickly dismiss lawsuits deemed to be "strategic lawsuits against public participation" (SLAPP): lawsuits filed in retaliation for petitioning the government or speaking out on a public issue or controversy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing this to light Katerina. Citizens have protection in their activism.
Write this up in the paper so all the members hear it!
ReplyDeleteIs Katerina being sued?
ReplyDeleteAnon 1:50,
ReplyDeleteNo.
I think Penny is referring to anonymous strategic threats, posting here, so I would stop writing the facts that may be.
The Whistleblower Protection Act, would have nothing to do with me or other activists. This is protection for members of an organization who are afraid to speak up.
ReplyDeleteNo one should be afraid to speak up. Doing the right thing for thousands is more important than doing that one favor for a person or group that might dissolve. In the end, when the truth comes out, it is better to be on the side of good.
ReplyDeleteLets say someone was afraid to speak up. Where can they send info anonymously?
ReplyDeleteMail to? Depends what the information is. You can send to me anonymously or not, & I'll forward without using your name.
ReplyDeleteOr if it is something that will help the City of Lynn lawsuit, send the info to the Law Dept. in Lynn.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, I just read in the Massachusetts Lawyers Journal, April 2011, that the IRS authorizes paying whistleblowers for reporting tax fraud. Tax fraud, hmmmm....
ReplyDelete