Society is based on trust. We trust that our leaders will do what is best for us and that they will act with integrity and honesty in all their dealings. When a leader breaks this trust by engaging in corrupt behavior, it can devastate the community. This is why whistleblowers are so important. They help expose wrongdoing by political leaders, and in doing so, they help preserve the integrity of our society.

One of humanity’s most pressing historical and current problems, regardless of time and place, is political corruption. The abuse of power by those entrusted to lead has and is one of humanity’s greatest curses. In an age where, since the start of the 21st century, nations worldwide have been slipping increasingly away from democratic and free forms of governance and into oligarchic autocracies, whistleblowers are needed more than ever to expose the abuse of political power and processes. 

Whistleblowers everywhere and anywhere can help shed light on political leaders who abuse their powers by silencing opposition, taking bribes, stealing from the public, rigging elections, and doing anything else illegal or unbecoming of a political leader. By exposing wrongs to the public, whistleblowers help put pressure on corrupt political leaders to resign or change their ways. The public does not like seeing their leaders doing corrupt deeds. The more exposed corruption, the more the public will be motivated and enraged enough to demand accountability and change. 

While the risks associated with whistleblowing are high, the rewards can be significant. Whistleblowers who expose corruption often receive public recognition and acclaim, together with financial compensation. In some cases, they may even help bring about much-needed political change in their countries. 

Daniel Ellsberg is one example of a whistleblower who exposed political wrongdoing, in this case exposing mass lying to the American public by the US government. Ellsberg is best known for leaking the Pentagon Papers to the New York Times in 1971 – a series of top-secret documents showing that the US government had been lying to the public about its involvement in Vietnam. Ellsberg felt that Americans had a right to know what their government was doing and thought it was his duty to leak the papers. He was later arrested and charged with treason, but the case against him was dismissed. 

In certain circumstances, a whistleblower who exposes political corruption can qualify for a monetary reward. A whistleblower might have information about a political official engaging in money laundering. The whistleblower can, with the assistance of an experienced whistleblower attorney, report that information to FinCEN. If this reporting leads to a successful monetary recovery, the whistleblower might be eligible for a share of the recovery. A whistleblower might have information about a public official colluding with government contractors to violate the False Claims Act, which could lead the whistleblower to file a qui tam complaint that leads to a recovery of lost monies on behalf of the government. The whistleblower will, in this circumstance, likely receive a reward for their information and for filing a successful qui tam action. Under these and a few other cases, a whistleblower exposing political corruption can be rewarded financially. More often than not, when exposing political corruption, monetary rewards for whistleblowers are not involved. The whistleblower often exposes political corruption to their detriment to make society fairer and more just. They do it because it is the right thing to do. 

If you suspect that a political leader in your country is abusing their power, consider becoming a whistleblower. It could be the most important thing you ever do. Attorneys at Whistleblowers International can evaluate your matter free of charge and in a confidential manner.