From: http://www.fedhallofshame.com/?p=317
Boeing Whistleblower Gerald Eastman
Posted in May 12th, 2008
by C. Yee in Accountability, Current Events, Whistleblowers

Picture not only being terminated from your job for whistleblowing, but being charged with computer trespass and arrested too. It happened to ex-Boeing employee, Gerald Eastman.

Here’s a link to an April 7 article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer about Eastman’s first court ordeal, which ended in a mistrial. The Project on Government Oversight (POGO) also blogged about Eastman’s disclosures, writing:
Internal Boeing documents obtained by the Project On Government Oversight show that the allegations of a former Boeing quality control inspector facing criminal charges have merit. Quality control problems at Boeing increase the likelihood that defective aircraft parts end up on planes and flaws in the manufacturing of planes remain uncorrected. This can potentially threaten public safety and drive up the cost of aircraft maintenance.

Gerald Eastman, the former Boeing inspector, is facing a second trial of criminal charges for disclosing Boeing information to the press. His first trial last month resulted in a mistrial when jurors could not agree on whether Eastman committed “computer trespass.” Mr. Eastman claims that his involvement with the press stemmed from the lack of corrective actions taken by Boeing and the government in response to his disclosures of wrongdoing to them.

The rest of POGO’s post can be found here. As POGO notes, if Mr. Eastman is found guilty, it could set a terrible precedent for not just aviation safety, but public safety in general. Mr. Eastman is set to return to King County (WA) Municipal Court again next week.

2 users commented in " Boeing Whistleblower Gerald Eastman "
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RLK said,
in May 12th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Boeing is a criminal enterprise;
RICCO Act–”When three or more parties conspire to carry on an on going criminal enterprise, it can fall under the “RICCO Act.
Boeing should be barred from Gov’t contracts for a year.

Jim said,
in May 12th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
It won’t happen. Once Boeing bought McDonnell Douglas, they eliminated the competition. Besides, where would all those SESers and Generals go to work after retiring from Govt. service?