Famous Whistleblower

Several stories of famous whistleblowers abound in the U.S. press. Individuals who stand up and blow the whistle against companies and or government entities who have engaged in egregious law-breaking conduct are considered to be courageous and heroic by many Americans.

Famous Whistleblowers in U.S.

Here is a brief list of the most famous whistleblowers in recent U.S. history, but hundreds of lesser-known or even anonymous whistleblowers have come forward to reveal wrongdoing in our workplaces and government. Their actions are just as admirable.

Frank Serpico: The first (in the late '60s) and most famous police officer to report widespread corruption in a police department (New York City's), he risked his life to come forward.

Daniel Ellsberg: He risked severe pressure and retaliation from the federal government in 1971 when he leaked the "Pentagon Papers" to The New York Times, revealing the secret pretexts for the war in Vietnam. He was a U.S. State Department analyst before becoming a whistleblower.

"Deep Throat" (now known to be the late W. Mark Felt): He gave Washington Post reporters the information about then-President Nixon's involvement in the Watergate illegalities in 1972. This whistleblowing eventually led to Nixon's resignation from office and prison terms for two members of his staff.

Karen Silkwood: In 1974, she exposed serious safety violations at her workplace, a nuclear plant in Oklahoma. The film "Silkwood" is an account of her story; her death at the wheel of her car as she was driving to meet a reporter has been alleged to be a homicide.

Jeffrey Wigand: In 1996, Wigand blew the whistle on the cigarette industry when he revealed the intentional manipulation of nicotine, known as "impact boosting," by his former employer, Brown & Williamson, in an interview on the television program 60 Minutes.

Linda Tripp: She told the Office of Independent Counsel that her friend had committed perjury — starting the whole "Monica Lewinsky affair" in 1998. The Clinton administration then leaked personal information about her, and she successfully pursued a lawsuit based on this violation of the Privacy Act of 1974.

Sherron Watkins: An Enron whistleblower and former vice president, she exposed the highly irregular accounting methods being used by the company to hide the true state of its financial affairs in 2001. Enron later filed the largest corporate bankruptcy on record — too late for investors, unfortunately.

Coleen Rowley: A special agent with the FBI, she revealed the agency's inaction and mistakes that may have allowed the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Are You Considering Blowing the Whistle?

If you are considering blowing the whistle on your employer or another company, you should contact an experienced whistleblower attorney who will evaluate your claim and fight to protect your legal rights. An experienced lawyer for whistleblowers will be able to explain your rights in detail and will protect you from retaliation and wrongdoing.

For more information or to schedule a private consultation, contact us today.

Online Lawyer Source

Lawyers & Legal News Near You

Need Legal Help?

Start Here for a Free Case Review!

Whistleblower

Find a Lawyer in Your State

Need Help?

Famous Whistleblower

Famous Whistleblowers in U.S.

Are You Considering Blowing the Whistle?

Other Areas of Law