Whistleblowers Complain to Obama

Actions by the Army Corps of Engineers against a whistleblower amounts to illegal harassment of a witness, according to a letter the National Whistleblowers Center sent to President Obama today.

The letter says that within hours after Bunnatine Greenhouse testified before a congressional committee last week, she was told to submit all future testimony to her bosses for prior approval, regardless of the subject of the hearing.

“Government officials should not be allowed to use their offices to threaten or intimidate federal employees from freely exercising their Constitutional rights. Such abuse has often been used to shield improper activities from the light of day and to intimidate federal employees from aggressively policing major special interests,” the letter from her lawyers at the Center says.

Greenhouse is a well-known whistleblower because of her complaints about contracting practices during the run-up to the Iraq war. She testified last week before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which is considering legislation that would provide increased protections for federal whistleblowers.

In the letter, her lawyers indicate that Greenhouse plans to disobey orders and testify again. They asked Obama to protect her from retaliation when she does.

“Ms. Greenhouse will stand up and invoke her constitutional right to testify before Congress in her personal capacity without government censorship,” the letter says. “When she does so, she will violate a specific directive from her Command and will face termination for insubordination. We trust that you will immediately take action to prevent such an injustice and violation of the U.S. Constitution.

By Eric Pianin  |  May 19, 2009; 3:00 PM ET
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