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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 18, 2003 PR- 046-03 www.nyc.gov |
MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION INCREASING
PROTECTION FOR WHISTLEBLOWERS
Remarks by Mayor Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Law
“The first bill before me today is Introductory Number 63-A, sponsored by Council Members Sears, Gerson, Jackson, Katz, Lanza, Nelson, Provenzano, Reed, Rivera, Stewart, Vallone, Weprin, Clarke, Moskowitz and Yassky. Intro 63-A seeks to enhance the protection of whistleblowers under the current Whistleblower Law by, among other things, expanding the definition of whistleblower and the categories of whistleblower complaints and requiring that a whistleblower’s identity be kept confidential whenever possible.
“The Whistleblower Law and the protections it affords City workers is an important ally in the Department of Investigation’s fight against corruption in City government. The majority of complaints received by DOI come from City workers since these employees are frequently the ones who are best situated to witness wrongdoing when it occurs. Therefore, it is our duty to provide City employees with a strong and comprehensive law that protects them from retaliatory adverse personnel actions and encourages them to report wrongdoing.
“Intro. 63-A broadens the definition of a whistleblower to include not only mayoral agency employees, as is currently the case, but also those agencies “the head or members of which are appointed by one or more city officers” and the employees who work in the offices of elected officials.
“This bill also broadens the scope of the existing Whistleblower Law by expanding the category of whistleblower complaints, from the three current categories - criminal acts, corruption and conflicts of interest - to now include reports of gross mismanagement and abuse of authority by another City officer or employee.
“DOI will now be required to respond in writing to the complainant within fifteen days after the complaint is made, notifying the complainant that the allegation has been received and providing the name of a DOI contact person. Upon completion of the investigation, DOI will provide the complainant with a written statement as to the outcome of the investigation. If DOI determines that a retaliatory adverse personnel action has indeed occurred, it will report its findings to the appropriate agency or entity.
“Intro. 63-A further provides that ‘upon request’ the four entities that are authorized to receive whistleblower allegations (DOI, Council Members, the Public Advocate or the Comptroller) are required to make “reasonable efforts” to protect the complainant’s identity.
“Lastly, in an effort to educate all City employees, this legislation has a mandatory public outreach requirement that is based on the outreach efforts upon which DOI Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn has placed special emphasis. It is my Administration’s belief that all City employees need to know that they will be protected when they are attempting to report wrongdoing. Any attempt by someone to undermine the integrity of City government must be stopped and every effort should be made to ensure that City workers do not have to fear retaliation when they come forward.”
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