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Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · 2d

🌊 The investigation is taking place amid the final weeks of hurricane season, during which storms capable of hitting the United States may still develop. It also coincides with the EPA firing employees who signed an open letter criticizing Trump’s leadership.

Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · 2d

EPA and FEMA employees have filed complaints to the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) on the account that officials are engaging in retaliatory action in violation of federal whistleblower laws.

Unreleased East Palestine "Unmet Needs" Report Hides Threats to Community

Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · 2d

🌪️ Now on @bloomberg.com: "FEMA Tells Staff to Name Whistleblowers or Risk Losing Jobs"

FEMA staff who signed a letter opposing the Trump administration’s cuts to disaster relief programs have been questioned to identify colleagues who supported or circulated the letter.

📸 Credit: Sharon Karr

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Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · 2d

East Palestine’s ongoing struggle makes clear that for true recovery, mental health support must be prioritized alongside physical and financial relief. ⚡️

Learn more about the East Palestine "Unmet Needs" report we received after suing FEMA: whistleblower.org/press-releas...

Following a lengthy legal battle, Government Accountability Project has obtained a previously undisclosed Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) report exposing a wide array of unmet medical, infr...

Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · 2d

Railway giant Norfolk Southern and the EPA did little to support East Palestine after the manmade disaster, and this report reveals with detail just how much FEMA understood the shortfalls in healthcare, water safety, and mental health support East Palestine was facing.

Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · 2d

Notably, FEMA's report acknowledged the community lacked sufficient providers, with only two mental health professionals available pre-derailment. FEMA predicted 39% of residents would need mental health services after the disaster.

Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · 2d

Our efforts to hold FEMA accountable led to a report this summer revealing FEMA was aware of widespread gaps in the medical care, infrastructure, and mental health needs of East Palestine residents.

Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · 2d

Research shows the profound impact such environmental disasters have on mental wellbeing: a 2002 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that survivors and/or witnesses incur a 50% higher risk of developing long-term mental health disorders, including PTSD and depression. 🧠

Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · 2d

Physical & financial aid are crucial for communities hit by environmental & manmade disasters—but mental health support is just as vital. That's why this #WorldMentalHealthDay, we're spotlighting the mental healthcare needs of East Palestine residents, still unmet after the 2023 train derailment.

Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · 3d

Government Accountability Project endorses the #FairAccessToJusticeAct, which could offer timely relief for federal employees when MSPB stalls.

With MSPB’s backlog and the current government shutdown, swift justice for federal workers remains urgent.

📸 Credit: Andrew Harnik

Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · 3d

This development may impact a new bill, the Fair Access to Swift and Timely Justice Act (S. 2977), which would let federal employees who appeal disciplinary actions taken against them take their stalled cases to court.

Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · 3d

After the Senate confirmed James Woodruff, the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) has regained a quorum (restored the min. number of members required to conduct business), ending delays in federal employee appeals.

Federal employee appeals board gets quorum after Senate confirms new member

Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · 3d

🎉 Now on Government Executive: "Federal employee appeals board gets quorum after Senate confirms new member"

Read more: whistleblower.org/in-the-news/...

Congressional Democrats also introduced legislation that would allow federal employees to file appeals in a civil court if the Merit Systems Protection Board is backlogged.

Unreleased East Palestine "Unmet Needs" Report Hides Threats to Community

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Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · 3d

“This report proves what our whistleblowers and impacted residents have said all along: that the federal government knew of the catastrophic risks but failed to act transparently,” said Lesley Pacey, our Senior Environmental Officer.

Learn more: whistleblower.org/press-releas...

Following a lengthy legal battle, Government Accountability Project has obtained a previously undisclosed Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) report exposing a wide array of unmet medical, infr...

Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · 3d

Railway giant Norfolk Southern and the EPA did little to support East Palestine post-derailment, and this report shows with extensive detail just how much FEMA understood the shortfalls in healthcare, water safety, economic recovery, and underfunded infrastructure East Palestine was facing.

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Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · 3d

⚖️ After suing FEMA twice under the Freedom of Information Act, this summer we obtained a FEMA report exposing a wide array of unmet medical, infrastructure, and economic recovery needs for the residents of East Palestine, Ohio post-2023 train derailment.

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Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · 4d

In Kurdistan, Golden Eagle Global offered itself as a facilitator for foreign businesses aiming to engage with the local government and has entered into deals with the U.S. military.

Thanks to #OCCRP for bringing this case forward, which calls for stronger anti-corruption enforcement. ⚡️

Mansions, Horses, and Designer Bags: How the Ruling Family of Iraqi Kurdistan Splurged in the U.S.

Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · 4d

New investigation by Zach Kopplin exposes how the ruling Barzani family of Iraqi Kurdistan funneled millions into U.S. mansions and luxury assets through secretive conglomerates. 💸

Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project @occrp.org · 4d

Mansions, Horses, and Designer Bags: How the Ruling Family of Iraqi Kurdistan Splurged in the U.S.

www.occrp.org/en/investiga...

The five sons of Iraqi Kurdistan’s founding president acquired real estate across the United States and went on luxury shopping sprees. At least some of the money came from major Kurdish conglomerates...

www.occrp.org

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Reposted by Government Accountability Project

Whistleblower Aid @wbaidlaw.bsky.social · 17d

Once again, Meta has lied, claiming its safety features keep kids safe when really, they either don't work or don't exist.

It's past time for Meta to stop lying - as our clients and other whistleblowers have proved: Meta couldn't care less about safety.

www.reuters.com/business/ins...

Instagram’s teen safety features are flawed, researchers say

Numerous safety features that Meta has said it has implemented to protect young users on Instagram over the years do not work well or, in some cases, don't exist, according to a report from child-safety advocacy groups that was corroborated by researchers at Northeastern University.

www.reuters.com

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Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · 5d

📝 If the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) doesn’t act within 120 days of an employee filing an appeal, federal employees could take their case directly to a U.S. district court to seek justice.

Read more: www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/pre...

Blumenthal, Alsobrooks, Van Hollen, & Walkinshaw Introduce New Legislation to Protect Federal Workers' Right to Appeal Illegal & Unfair Firings | U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and U.S. Representative James...

www.blumenthal.senate.gov

Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · 5d

“Assuring federal employees will still have a day in court despite a dormant MSPB is a victory for taxpayers,” said Government Accountability Project Legal Director Tom Devine. “Otherwise, protection for those who challenge fraud, waste and abuse will be in indefinite limbo.”

Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · 5d

The Fair Access to Swift and Timely (FAST) Justice Act—is structured to offer timely relief for federal workers who were unlawfully fired or experienced unjust or prohibited personnel practices.