Whistleblower In Bribery Conviction Of Former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman Claims She Was Improperly Fired

Tamarah Grimes, a former member of the team that prosecuted Alabama Governor Don Siegelman for bribery and a self-described whistleblower, has been terminated by the U.S. Department of Justice. The government has stated that the whistleblower disclosures were unrelated to her termination.

However, Grimes stated in a press release that, "As a federal employee with a previously exemplary record, the decision to engage in protected activity and file whistleblower claims under the "No Fear Act" was a careful decision made of necessity and conscience. In consideration of necessity, as federal employees, we are continuously reminded of our duty to report waste, fraud, abuse and misconduct. We are assured that the U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Employment Opportunity workplace. We are even offered "safe conduits" for making EEO and whistleblower claims.
 
“It is my hope that any federal employee who may be considering a decision to engage in protected EEO or whistleblower activity under the "No Fear" Act will learn from my example. In reality, there is much to fear from filing an EEO claim or a whistleblower claim under the "No Fear" Act and there are no "safe conduits" for making such claims. Ultimately there is little value in the performance of your duty as a federal employee, or even as a loyal citizen of the United States, if the result is loss of your security clearance and termination of your federal employment. The knowledge that you have admirably performed your duties as a federal employee cannot pay the mortgage or buy food for your family when you are rewarded with whistleblower retaliation."
 
This story is likely to play itself out in the future, as the governor continues in his efforts to overturn his conviction.  It may also have implications for whistleblower claims, yielding fewer people willing to stand up and reveal what they know.