How whistle-blowers shape history | Kelly Richmond Pope

Summary

This speech addresses the dilemmas faced by potential whistle-blowers, highlighting the fear of retaliation that often silences them. Despite the risks, including job loss and death threats, the speaker, an accounting professor, encourages her students to report wrongdoings. She shares stories of brave whistle-blowers like Mary Willingham and Kathe Swanson, emphasizing their hope, commitment, and bravery. The speech concludes with a call to reconsider the negative connotations associated with whistle-blowing and to appreciate its vital role in uncovering fraud and protecting the public interest.

Takeaways

• 🙌 Many people witness wrongdoing but choose not to report it, with 46% of employees admitting to this behavior.
• 📢 The societal message to 'see something, say something' is prevalent but often contradicted by personal discomfort with reporting.
• 👩‍🏫 As an accounting professor, the speaker encourages students to become whistle-blowers despite internal conflict about the potential consequences.
• 🚫 Whistle-blowers often face severe retaliation, including demotion, death threats, and job loss, which deter many from coming forward.
• 🏆 Despite the risks, whistle-blowers play a crucial role in uncovering fraud, with 42% of frauds being discovered by them.
• 🌟 Historically significant fraud cases like Watergate, Enron, and Madoff were exposed by whistle-blowers, highlighting their importance.
• 🤔 The speaker grapples with the moral dilemma of encouraging students to become whistle-blowers given the harsh realities they face.
• 📈 The case of Wells Fargo employees who were fired after attempting to whistle-blow underscores the systemic issues whistle-blowers encounter.
• 👩‍💼 Mary Willingham's story from the University of North Carolina highlights the personal sacrifices whistle-blowers make, including threats and demotion.
• 🏛 Kathe Swanson's discovery of embezzlement as a city clerk demonstrates how ordinary individuals can uncover significant fraud through diligence.
• 💡 The speaker concludes that cultivating hope, commitment, humility, and bravery is essential for encouraging whistle-blowing and acknowledges the profound impact these individuals have on society.

Q & A

What percentage of employees surveyed admitted to witnessing something they should report but chose not to?

46 percent of the employees surveyed admitted to witnessing something they should report but decided not to.

What is the speaker's profession and area of research?

The speaker is an accounting professor who specializes in fraud research.

What is the term used for individuals who report illegal or unethical activities within an organization?

The term used for individuals who report illegal or unethical activities within an organization is 'whistle-blowers'.

What are some of the negative consequences whistle-blowers might face?

Whistle-blowers might face consequences such as demotions, death threats, job loss, and having their loyalty, motives, and trustworthiness questioned.

What was the speaker's reaction upon learning that whistle-blowers at Wells Fargo were fired?

The speaker felt outraged upon learning that whistle-blowers at Wells Fargo were fired.

What percentage of frauds are discovered by whistle-blowers according to the speaker?

42 percent of frauds are discovered by whistle-blowers, as mentioned by the speaker.

What historical fraud cases were mentioned in the script that were discovered by whistle-blowers?

The script mentions Watergate, Enron, and the case of Bernard Madoff as historical fraud cases that were discovered by whistle-blowers.

What was Mary Willingham's role at the University of North Carolina, and what did she discover?

Mary Willingham was a learning specialist at the University of North Carolina. She discovered a database where student athletes could retrieve papers and a scheme where colleagues funneled students into fake classes to keep them eligible to play.

What was Kathe Swanson's occupation, and what significant discovery did she make?

Kathe Swanson was a retired city clerk from the city of Dixon. She discovered that her boss, Rita Crundwell, was embezzling 53 million dollars over a 20-year period.

What was the common theme in the messages the speaker received from whistle-blowers after publishing a 'Forbes' article?

The common theme in the messages from whistle-blowers was that despite facing consequences like getting fired, they would blow the whistle again if they could.

Who is Peter Buxtun and what was his role in the Tuskegee syphilis experiment?

Peter Buxtun was a 27-year-old employee for the US Public Health Service who discovered and reported the unethical Tuskegee syphilis experiment where African American males with syphilis were not treated with penicillin even after it was discovered to be effective.

What is the significance of Peter Buxtun's whistle-blowing act in the context of clinical trials today?

Peter Buxtun's whistle-blowing act led to the implementation of informed consent in clinical trials, which is a critical ethical standard today ensuring that participants are fully informed about the trials they are involved in.