February, 04 2009, 12:42pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Lindsey M. Williams
Office (202) 342-1903
Cell (570) 362-3179
lmw@whistleblowers.org
Sam Dratch (240) 426-5031
Senator McCaskill Proposes Whistleblower Amendment To Senate Stimulus Bill
Yesterday, Senator Claire
McCaskill (D-MO) introduced an important whistleblower amendment
(S.AMDT. 196) to the Senate stimulus bill. The amendment includes
protections for all companies, state and local governments that receive
any stimulus money. It provides for inspector general investigations,
gives employees the right to jury trials, and requires all companies to
inform employees of their whistleblower rights. The amendment
strengthens accountability of taxpayer dollars by protecting private
sector employees who report fraudulent spending of stimulus funds.
WASHINGTON
Yesterday, Senator Claire
McCaskill (D-MO) introduced an important whistleblower amendment
(S.AMDT. 196) to the Senate stimulus bill. The amendment includes
protections for all companies, state and local governments that receive
any stimulus money. It provides for inspector general investigations,
gives employees the right to jury trials, and requires all companies to
inform employees of their whistleblower rights. The amendment
strengthens accountability of taxpayer dollars by protecting private
sector employees who report fraudulent spending of stimulus funds.
"The
McCaskill amendment is an absolutely invaluable component of the
stimulus bill to ensure that taxpayer dollars are protected from fraud,
waste,
and abuse, " said Stephen M. Kohn, President National Whistleblowers
Center.
The NWC is making three experienced whistleblower advocates/attorneys, Stephen M. Kohn, David K. Colapinto, and Michael D. Kohn,
available for interviews to discuss the McCaskill amendment and why
whistleblower protections are critical to ensure oversight and
accountability in stimulus spending.
Since 1988, the NWC and attorneys associated with it have supported whistleblowers in the courts and before Congress and achieved victories for environmental protection, government contract fraud, nuclear safety and government and corporate accountability.
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