Whistleblower Attorney Speaks at Annual Wildlife Conservation Conference

Ben Kostyack

Published On: October 16th, 2019

Last month, whistleblower attorney Stephen M. Kohn appeared at the 2019 Rethinking Animals Summit in New York City. Kohn spoke about using wildlife whistleblower reward laws to prevent crimes such as illegal trafficking, illegal fishing, and ocean pollution.

The Summit brings together thought leaders from around the globe to discuss the current climate crisis and the damaging effects on wildlife. Kohn, a leading expert in whistleblower law, was invited to speak about how wildlife whistleblowers can have a profound impact on the illegal trafficking of animals and combatting wildlife crimes.

Kohn discussed the successful use of whistleblower reward laws in the fight against corruption and fraud. The use of monetary rewards incentivizes whistleblowers to come forward with knowledge of crimes.

Kohn explained how wildlife whistleblowers who witness crimes anywhere in the world could utilize these reward laws. Several wildlife laws contain whistleblower provisions, but potential wildlife whistleblowers are not aware of them. Events such as this Summit are essential to raising awareness in the wildlife conservation community to the existence of these whistleblower reward laws and their potential impact in this area.

Stephen M. Kohn (left) joins a panel at the Rethinking Animals Summit 2019

In addition to the whistleblower reward provisions in wildlife laws, the False Claims Act and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act can address crimes associated with wildlife trafficking, illegal fishing, illegal logging, and ocean pollution.

Kohn is a founding partner of the whistleblower law firm Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto, and co-founded the National Whistleblower Center, where he serves as chairman of the board.