Virtual Conference Illustrates How Romania Could Lead the EU in Whistleblower Protections

On April 20th, 2021, international Whistleblower advocates and Romanian business leaders convened in a virtual conference to support Romania’s proposed incorporation of the EU’s 2019 Whistleblowing Directive. Speakers included US Senator Chuck Grassley, Whistleblowing International Executive Director Mark Worth, UBS Whistleblower Bradley Birkenfeld, FBI Whistleblower Jane Turner, and leading whistleblower attorney Stephen M. Kohn. During the conference, each speaker stressed the importance of Romania’s proposed legislation to protect whistleblowers and prevent corruption.

Mark Worth addressed the significant precedent that the Romanian proposal sets. He notes the weak Whistleblower protections across Europe and how Romania can reverse this trend with the EU directive. Before the conference, Worth and Whistleblowing International have led significant efforts to document and guide Romania’s pro-whistleblowing legislation.

Bradley Birkenfeld and Jane Turner, both former clients of Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto, referenced their own personal challenges as whistleblowers and stressed the importance of Romania’s legislation to whistleblower protections. Turner added that the law was more than just protecting whistleblowers; it’s about transparency and ethics within a larger organization.

Stephen M. Kohn, a partner at Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto, mentioned his extensive experience with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the US and noted the essential feature of whistleblowers in enforcing white-collar crime. He states: “This bill deftly translates the European Whistleblower Directive into law by importing leading whistleblower research and expert opinion. If adopted, whistleblowers will become Romania’s most powerful anti-corruption asset.”

The proposed bill in Romania stands to support whistleblower rights and transparency in the country. The conference and its speakers emphasized the bill’s significance and showed the need for Romania to adopt the EU’s Whistleblowing Directive.