The document discusses US laws protecting whistleblowers, specifically the Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) which protects disclosures of information about violations of law, gross mismanagement, or threats to health and safety. It provides details on what is covered under the WPA and exceptions for classified information or if disclosure is prohibited by law. It also lists intelligence agencies excluded from the WPA and details charges and convictions under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and US code for conduct unbecoming and unauthorized disclosure of national defense information.

1. The Law of
Whistleblowing
Washington University – Fall 2014
class # 19

2. WPA – 5 USC § 2302(b)(8)(A)
protects:
any disclosure of information . . . which
the employee . . .reasonably believes evidences
(i) any violation of any
• law,
• rule, or
• regulation, or
(ii) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds,
an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific
danger to public health or safety, . . .

3. WPA – 5 USC § 2302(b)(8)(A) (cont’d)
. . . unless
– disclosure is specifically prohibited by law or
– the information is classified

4. WPA – 5 USC § 2302(a)(2)(C)(ii)
Excludes from coverage:
– FBI
– CIA
– DIA
– NSA
– ODNI
–NRO
–NGIA

5. Charged with
UCMJ Art. 133 - conduct unbecoming
18 USC § 793(e)
18 USC § 793(b)

6. Convicted of
UCMJ Art. 133 - conduct unbecoming
18 USC § 793(e)
18 USC § 793(b)

7. 18 USC 793(b)
with intent or
reason to believe that
the information
is to
be used
to the injury of the United States,
or
to the advantage of any foreign nation

8. 18 USC 793(e)
has
reason to believe that
the information
could
be used
to the injury of the United States,
or
to the advantage of any foreign nation