With the election of “Noynoy” Aquino as president this summer here in the Philippines, the nation is on a march to end corruption. I do not see the same trend in the USA. Only by supporting Whistleblowers can America begin to clean up the messes that got us the worst economy in 80 years! Please review the email written to me below on one of America’s imprisoned whistleblowers. Then take action,please.
Kevin Stoda
American in Palawan, Philippines
Do Not Imprison Whistleblowers!
As 60 Minutes re-airs their piece on UBS whistleblower Bradley Birkenfeld, it reminds us of the great injustice that is harming American taxpayers. The most important international whistleblowers in history has now served 7 months (and counting) in federal prison.
| Birkenfeld before entering prison Photo credit: 60 Minutes |
Birkenfeld after 7 months in prison Gasper Triangle/Global Post |
Mr. Birkenfeld’s voluntary disclosure actually lead to the demise of Swiss bank secrecy. UBS agreed to pay a $780 million fine, the IRS created a tax amnesty program under which 14,700 people declared illegal secret bank accounts, and the entire $20 billion UBS illegal offshore program was shut down. Mr. Birkenfeld put tax money back in the hands of every American. We must return the favor and demand the he be released from prison.
TAKE ACTION! Support immediate clemency for Bradley Birkenfeld!
The lead prosecutor for the Department of Justice (DOJ) admitted in court that “but for Mr. Birkenfeld” the illegal UBS tax scheme would not have been discovered by the U.S. government. Despite the fact that the DOJ also admitted that the “substantial assistance” provided by Mr. Birkenfeld was “timely, significant, useful, truthful, complete and reliable,” Mr. Birkenfeld has spent more time in prison than all the the other bankers combined.
TAKE ACTION! Tell President Obama grant Bradley Birkenfeld’s official petition for clemency today!
President Obama has an opportunity today to send a message that the U.S. will protect and encourage whistleblowers in the international banking industry, not destroy them. Tax cheats are still out there, and we will need more insiders like Mr. Birkenfeld to catch them. Issuing a presidential pardon or commuting Bradley Birkenfeld’s sentence to time served is absolutely critical to ensuring that the radical chilling effect created by Mr. Birkenfeld’s sentence is reversed.
TAKE ACTION! Tell President Obama that we must be serious about catching tax cheats!
