I would like to introduce my attorney Billie Pirner Garde. She, was once
herself a whistleblower and summoned the courage to make allegations about a corrupt government agency,
survived the aftermath of their retaliation, and overcame persecution at great personal loss. Many think of her asthe
foremost champion of Whistleblowers in The United States of America (and Canada). She is my attorney...
she is my friend. As an NRC fallout victim, region 4, in Arlington, Texas, I rely on Billie to hopefully
bring the NRC to their day of justice.
She kindly gave me permission to make mention that she was my attorney.
She went further to instruct me; "You can certainly mention my name as your lawyer... but don't pour on the praise".
This does not change the fact that praise is appropiate and true. Those of us that are fortunate enough to have her
as our legal counsel fully understand the privilege.
After I was illegally fired, in my opinion and belief, from
my position at the NRC for whistle blowing, I knew both in my heart and intellectually that something terrible had happened
to me that was not right. My contract employer and the NRC both lied to me about my expulsion from service.
I was told it was a lay-off, when it was really a retaliation firing. It took me many months of personal investigation,
research, FOIA (freedom of information act) requests and employing a private investigator to learn the truth. An unsuccessful cover
up was attempted. Rumors of altered emails, shredded documents, misrouted FOIA searches and hidden video tapes were
persistant.
I searched far and wide for the right person to guide me on my legal
crusade against the crooked dealings, in my opinion and belief, of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's senior management at
the Region 4 offices in Arlington, Texas.
My research led me to a wonderful organization called The Government
Accountability Project, or GAP. The Government Accountability Project’s mission is to protect the public interest by
promoting government and corporate accountability through advancing occupational free speech and ethical conduct, defending
whistleblowers, and empowering citizen activists. Founded in 1977, GAP is a non-profit, public interest organization and law
firm that receives funding from foundations, individuals, and legal fees. I was told that Billie Pirner Garde was a key member
of their organization.
The GAP organization member that assisted me was a wonderful, intelligent
and emphethtic lady named Julia Musson. She offered encouragement and told me of a dedicated lady attorney named Billie Pirner
Garde, whose record of successfully representing whistleblowers was legendary. A close personal friend had also recently
recommended her to me, as well. Her name sounded familiar. When the two opinions converged I felt that I knew who
could best help me; Billie Pirner Garde.
After a long talk with Billie, she told me what we needed to do. I later
learned what a huge honor it was for her to accept my case. She carefully screens clients for merit, and has a special place
in her legal heart for whistleblowers. Who could help me better and understand what I was going through than she? Billie had
been a whistleblower once herself.
I won't embarrass Billie with too much detail about her life and amazing
accomplishments in this article. I will, however, invite you to surf the internet with the "search target" of
"Billie Pirner Garde". When I first did this myself, over 3 years ago, I was stunned by what I found. Her name
went on forever. I think Google must have been invented by those clever guys just to handle the vast amount of all her entries.
Look for Billie on the internet, in the library, and in magazine articles.
She's everywhere. That's the point; she is everywhere. Want to know why she is focusing her attention on
this area? The answer is simple. NRC Fallout.
This area is where the region 4 offices of the US Nuclear Regulatory
are. This is where it's senior management rules. Their rule has been problematic. Even though Billie Pirner Garde has
offices in Washington, D.C., she is a citizen of the world. Sometimes I talk to her in locations from here in Texas
to as far away as Alaska.
Ron Bath, for one, is very grateful to have Billie representing him.
Thanks Billie!
Have a just day,
Ron
