By "NoStop" Heidi Weber
The podcast currently has 27 episodes available.
Special Guest Cameo with Jamie Steven
In the first part of my two part interview with Bob Thomas.. ...we got to know another amazing legal hero. I know, I say this about every whistleblower attorney, but it's true. Bob is an amazing icon in the legal whistleblower realm and really is responsible for so much awareness, positive change and anti-corruption initiatives. His legal experience in other areas of Law, really gave him a unique "big picture" wisdom of whistleblowing and has covered such a broad range of do-gooding.
[Please listen to part one to hear what Bob himself has to say about his "why"and "where"he started out....HEADING down the right road.]
We're all happy he did!
In this episode, we continue that chat and find out a few more juicy insights from Bob, like why I keep referencing the word "head" (if you didn't already figure it out).
We also talk a little bit more about Bob's side gig , teaching law students at Boston University. I was curious about what a student would have to say about whistleblower law and their perception of Bob's class. So, I reached out to one of his former students, and the Whistleblower Law Collaborative's first "extern", Jamie Steven.
She agreed to sharing her thoughts and perspective. You won't want to miss what the beautiful and eloquently honest, Jamie has to say about whistleblowers and Bob.
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Join us because blowing the whistle , is definitely #noTeaParty but still better than BURYING YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND!.
For more episodes, info and how you can help support the Revolution please
visit our webpage. If you have a whistleblower case that you want to share, or you feel you've been retaliated against for speaking up and you need help or resources, visit us at
WhistleblowerRevolution.com
or contact us at
[email protected]
For more information on how to reach Bob Thomas or Jamie Steven, please
visit
WhistleblowerRevolution.com
Part One of Two Part Series!
Be Sure to Listen to Pt 2 next week, where we hear from one of Bob's students and interns....she really HITS THE NAIL ON THE HEAD explaining how Bob inspired her and other new attorneys to look at Whistleblower Law a little differently!
I’d like to introduce you to another self made icon in Whistleblower Law who STANDS HEADS above the crowd. Bob Thomas has been practicing law since 1986 and for the last sixteen years has been representing whistleblowers with his friend, colleague, and co-founder of their HEADQUARTERS, Whistleblower Collaborative Law Practice, Suzanne Durrell. (fingers crossed, she will allow me some time to chat also). Mr. Thomas and Ms. Durrell have been recognized throughout the country as a formidable team. They really do compliment each other. The two of them have a combined seventy years of experience in handling complex legal matters in different aspects of Law, Bob and Suzanne were named the 2017 Lawyers of the Year by the Taxpayers Against Fraud Education Fund for their successful “careers devoted to fighting fraud.”
With all that spare time, naturally, I had to ask about the other 100 aspects of his life that he continues to dive HEAD FIRST into……listen in to get a HEADS UP!
Robert Thomas got a HEAD START serving as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Maryland from 1989 to 1997, focusing primarily on the prosecution of white-collar fraud matters and environmental crimes. He was awarded the EPA Bronze Medal for his contribution to the prosecution of the criminal Clean Water Act case of U.S. v. Wilson and IGC, 133 F.3d 251 (4th Cir. 1997), a case of national importance with respect to the enforcement of the Clean Water Act in federally wetlands.There’s no telling how far AHEAD he will go!!!
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Join us because blowing the whistle , is definitely #noTeaParty but still better than BURYING YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND!.
For more episodes, info and how you can help support the Revolution please
visit our webpage. If you have a whistleblower case that you want to share, or you feel you've been retaliated against for speaking up and you need help or resources, visit us at
WhistleblowerRevolution.com
or contact us at
[email protected]
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MEHRI & SKALET PLLC whistleblower firm
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MEHRI & SKALET PLLC whistleblower firmThis week, I was honored to get a chance to sit down and pick the brain of one of the very best and well respected, Global Compliance Professionals, Eric T. Young. It's easy to be intimidated by someone of such stature and 40 years of unbelievable experience with companies like GE Electric and JP Morgan. He also has several years with the Fed and several international banks, but what really grabbed my attention, is the fact that he is "pro-whistleblower". Let me explain. Usually, the compliance department mitigates damage for the corporation. Their job is to protect their company by making sure the rules and regulations are being followed. They also sometimes pick up the duty alongside corporate counsel, of getting the train back on the track with the least cost to the company. So, you can see why they may be antagonistic with whistleblowers a little bit.
Then, there's Eric Young, a very likable gentleman who really wears his "badge" of ethics with pride. If you haven't checked him out on LinkedIn, you should! He has some really great articles, (especially, his recent one on whistleblowers). I'm not the only one, ask any of his 26,000 followers there. Click to go to EricsLinkedInProfile
Please check out his first book and (yes, please) vision for accountability and ethical business, titled, Declaration of Independence- Part 1 Personal Lessons and Part 2 Duty of Care.
He really has a unique view on corporate America. It restores (a little) hope in me for the future.
This whistle-sister is a ONE WOMAN machine after my own heart!
Even though she's in South Africa, a person doesn't have to go far to experience the true wildlife with heroes like June!
SHE PERSISTS....and inspires others, on so many days where she isn't even sure where her next meal will come from, and can't get any sleep from the gunfire right outside in her neighborhood from gangs and random shootings. June keeps on fighting.
Speaking up, and caring about others with a loving, giving heart, she still fights.
And THAT, is what being a whistleblower means.
An undying drive and desire, even when you feel alone, and you aren't sure you have anything else to give. Despite attacks from strangers and even people and co-workers you once thought were your friends. To endure .......for the sole purpose of making just one other life better.
If you want to "watch" special outtakes and content from our interview, please LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE on YouTube! We can't fight without your help! Thank you!
For more episodes, info and how you can help support the Revolution please
visit our webpage.
WhistleblowerRevolution.com
If you have a whistleblower case that you want to share, or you feel you've been retaliated against for speaking up and you need help or resources, visit us at
WhistleHelp
Support the show (https://www.PayPal.Me/whistleblowerpodcast)
Lagniappe (/ˈlænjæp/ LAN-yap, /lænˈjæp/ lan-YAP)
New Orleans is my favorite city to visit. There are so many unique things that a person can only find there and no were else in the US. When talking with noted Whistleblower Attorney, Cleveland Lawrence of Mehri & Skalet PLLC, I found out he's originally from New Orleans. Not only did I learn some interesting new Creole words, I also found out a few really cool things related to his roots there, and what kinds of community involvement he still is a part of.
Listen in to hear all about Cleveland's history and thoughts on current issues and cases.
Join US, because this revolution is Lagniappe, but still #NoTeaParty.
Cleveland is a partner at Mehri & Skalet, and is Co-Chair of the firm’s Whistleblower Rights practice group, where his practice focuses on representing individual and corporate whistleblowers at all stages of litigation under federal and state False Claims Act laws, the IRS, SEC, and CFTC whistleblower programs, the Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act, and other, similar laws and regulations. Cleveland is an expert on False Claims Act, whistleblower, fraud, and compliance issues, and has been a thought leader in the qui tam community for more than a decade. From 2008 to 2016, Cleveland led the Taxpayers Against Fraud Education Fund (TAFEF) and its sister organization, Taxpayers Against Fraud, and regularly met with whistleblowers, federal and state government officials, private attorneys, and the public to combat fraud against federal and state funds. He also served as editor-in-chief of TAFEF’s law journal, the “False Claims Act & Qui Tam Quarterly Review.” After leaving TAFEF, Cleveland returned to private practice and spent two years as the Whistleblower Director for the Sanford Heisler Sharp law firm, before joining Mehri & Skalet. In 2020, he re-joined TAFEF’s leadership, and serves as a member of its President’s Council.
Throughout his distinguished career, Cleveland has worked with the highest levels of all three branches of Government to shape whistleblower law and policy. In addition to arguing before federal district and circuit courts on behalf of his own whistleblower clients, he has authored and filed numerous amicus curiae briefs in federal and state courts across the country – including the U.S. Supreme Court. Cleveland has also and partnered with high-ranking officials from the U.S. Department of Justice to coordinate the nation’s largest annual False Claims Act conference – which often featured Directors of the IRS, SEC, and CFTC whistleblower programs. Moreover, he has testified before Congress and state legislatures regarding FCA and whistleblower-related legislation; represented a testifying witness during Congressional committee hearings; prepared draft federal and state legislation; and submitted multiple comment letters to federal agencies implementing Dodd-Frank and other whistleblower reward programs. Cleveland received a B.A. from Georgetown University and he graduated, with honors, from The George Washington University Law School, where he was a member of the Public Contracts Law Journal. A native of New Or
MEHRI & SKALET PLLC whistleblower firmTalk about DejaVu!?! I was so curious to talk to another For Profit College Whistleblower, Debbi Potts. So much of our stories are identical. Why? you guessed it, because most of them used the same "playbook". They just never thought people like Debbi and I would be keeping (and sharing) the real scorecards.
From 2009 until 2012, Debbi Potts worked as the campus director of the Cheyenne, Wyoming campus of CollegeAmerica Denver, Inc. . She resigned because CollegeAmerica’s business practices were unethical. In particular, Debbi said that CollegeAmerica violated its accreditation standards and “actively deceived” its accreditor to maintain accreditation.
Sound familiar, yet?
In September 2012, Potts and CollegeAmerica entered a written agreement by which CollegeAmerica agreed to pay Potts the $7,000 they owed her from previous bonuses and support her unemployment claim. In return, Debbi agreed to (1) “refrain from personally (or through the use of any third party) contacting any governmental or regulatory agency with the purpose of filing any complaint or grievance,” (2) “direct any complaints or issues against CollegeAmerica . . . to CollegeAmerica’s toll free compliant number,” and (3) “not intentionally with malicious intent (publicly or privately) disparage the reputation of CollegeAmerica.”
However, the school sued Potts after it learned of an email she'd sent , and Debbi returned the favor, filing a counter suit of her own, which, (like mine, went all the way to trial. 99% of cases always settle outside of court.
Listen in to find out if she was successful when she finally got up to bat. Did she strike out or hit one out of the park?! You'll never guess this one!
Join Us because This Revolution is a learning CURVE ball for Higher Educators, and still #NoTeaParty!
If you want to "watch" our interview, please LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE on YouTube! We can't fight without your help! Thank you! The Whistleblower Revolution Podcast
For more episodes, info and how you can help support the Revolution please
visit our webpage. If you have a whistleblower case that you want to share, or you feel you've been retaliated against for speaking up and you need help or resources, visit us at
WhistleblowerRevolution.com
Support the show (https://www.PayPal.Me/whistleblowerpodcast)
This week I got a chance to sit and chat with my friend and fellow "whistleblower elite club member", (as he calls it), John Kiriakou.
If you don't already know, John is a retired CIA agent and a father of five, who didn't know how much his life was going to change one day back in 2007, when he saw something that was so wrong, and was compelled to speak up.
Kiriakou spent 14 years at the CIA as an analyst and case officer, leading the team that found high-ranking al-Qaeda member Abu Zubaydah in 2002.
Yet, years after the event and under the Obama administration, Kiriakou ended up spending 2 years in prison after blowing the whistle on the George W. Bush administration’s torture program. In 2007.
Kiriakou became the first CIA official to publicly confirm and detail the agency’s use of waterboarding. In January 2013, he was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison. Under a plea deal, Kiriakou admitted to a single count of violating the Intelligence Identities Protection Act by revealing the identity of a covert officer involved in the torture program to a freelance reporter, who did not publish it. In return, prosecutors dropped charges brought under the Espionage Act. Kiriakou is the only official to be jailed for any reason relating to CIA torture. Supporters say he was unfairly targeted in the Obama administration’s crackdown on government whistleblowers.
The Espionage Act of 1917 (yes thats right, 1917) is the same law that current administrations use as a "catch all" to prosecute anyone who whistle blows on our own Government, essentially. Many call this recent trend of targeting whistleblowers, a direct attack on Freedom of Speech and especially, Freedom of the Press.
Originally, the Espionage Act was hardly ever cited and only limited to entirely active and known spies---until recently. Both the Obama and Trump administrations have now started using this literally unrelated law to sweep and target whistleblowers who are trying to let everyone know of outrageous and or corrupt practices within our own government.
Let's take a look at Obama and Trumps stats, proving that party politics are not the only driving force behind this sudden dramatic increase in targeting whistleblowers.
It seems to have become a "we support whistleblowers.......as long as they arent blowing the whistle on US.
Support the show (https://www.PayPal.Me/whistleblowerpodcast)
Jane Turner dreamt of being an FBI agent since she was a little girl, growing up in Rapid City, South Dakota. This was long before anyone would know that she would end up being one of the most prolific women in FBI history
Jane Turner is a whistleblower and highly decorated 25-year veteran Special Agent within the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The first woman named the head of an FBI resident agency, Turner led the FBI's highly successful programs to combat crimes against women and child sex crime victims on North Dakota Indian Reservations. She won awards for successfully investigating significant crimes on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. Federal prosecutors described her as the leading FBI agent solving child crimes in the entire United States.
In retaliation for her efforts, Turner was removed from her position by the FBI. Years later, Turner would win a historic decision for all FBI whistleblowers, when the court held that Ms. Turner set forth sufficient facts to justify a trial by a jury. Turner also successfully challenged her retaliation in federal court and obtained the largest compensatory damage award permitted under the law for federal employees.
Since becoming a whistleblower advocate, Turner has served as the Chair of the Whistleblower Leadership Council at the National Whistleblower Center and is a member of its board of directors.
Turner's weekly column, Whistleblower of the Week, highlights the stories of whistleblowers who have stood up to massive corruption, fraud, and abuse. Whistleblower of the Week columns will take an in-depth look at the experiences of those who blew the whistle and the realities of what it means to be a whistleblower.
Click here for her column
or
You can follow her on Twitter @fbiwhistlestop
Support the show (https://www.PayPal.Me/whistleblowerpodcast)
The podcast currently has 27 episodes available.