Whistleblowing: A Spike through the Heart of Corruption
The final chapter of Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto founding partner Stephen M. Kohn’s latest book, Rules for Whistleblowers: A Handbook for Doing What’s Right, is entitled “Can Whistleblowers Drive a Spike through the Heart of Corruption?”
The Stanford Social Innovation Review has published an excerpt of this section of the book with a short introduction authored by Kohn.
“In the conclusion to Rules for Whistleblowers, titled ‘Can Whistleblowers Drive a Spike through the Heart of Corruption?’ I reflect on the immense success of whistleblowing, and how it affirms the Nobel prize-winning economist David Becker’s theory on stopping corporate crime,” Kohn writes. “I cite sociologist Edwin Sutherland, who warned that white-collar crime can undermine the social institutions necessary for people to trust their government in a democracy. Sutherland was extremely concerned that large-scale corruption would undermine the very fabric that holds society together. Empowering whistleblowers to detect and report crime is the surest way to create paranoia among would-be white collar criminals, and deter corruption at all levels.”
“As the frauds get bigger, we have an increased duty to educate, empower, and protect those coming forward with insider information,” concludes Kohn. “When treated properly, whistleblowers can change the world for the better.”
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May 9, 2025
