Please support an Oregon hero – whistleblower Michael Rodgers

Rep. Knute Buehler

This week we learned the identity of an Oregon hero – Michael Rodgers.

Like many heroes, Michael Rodgers is neither wealthy nor powerful. But when confronted with a difficult choice, he simply did the right thing.

In the face of indifference at best – or intimidation at worst – he blew the whistle on potential corruption at the highest levels of our government.

Now Michael Rodgers must defend himself, his job and his reputation from the very government he has served and sought to protect. He deserves our respect and our support, not the burden of mounting legal bills.

On Wednesday, I made a personal contribution to support Mr. Rodgers and his legal defense. Today, I’m asking you to join me.

Click here to make a contribution to Michael’s legal defense fund.

Four months ago, the Governor resigned under pressure from the leaders of his own political party. Like those leaders who called for Kitzhaber’s resignation, Rodgers demonstrated courage by putting the interests of Oregon ahead of a single person or political party.

He did what was right, not what was comfortable or easy.

In response, Governor Kitzhaber and Ms. Hayes have hired the best lawyers money can buy, have sought to block public access to public information and even attempted to have the taxpayers pay for their legal defense.

Last month, I introduced important legislation that protects whistleblowers from unfair and unjust government prosecution. I urge our legislative leaders and Governor to act with the same courage and pass the bill into law before the legislative session adjourns in just a few short weeks.

Michael Rodgers, a 15-year state employee, acted in a manner consistent with our greatest American values of fairness, transparency and accountability. He is a hero – not a criminal.

Join me and support his legal defense fund. Click here: http://www.gofundme.com/oregonwhistle

UPDATE 5/31/2015 Salem Statesman Journal: Doing the right thing, even if for the wrong reason

UPDATE 6/1/2015 Eugene Register-Guard: Rodgers’ instinct was right – He ensured Kitzhaber’s emails were preserved

UPDATE 6/2/2015 Willamette Week: Gov. Kate Brown Says the Man Who Leaked Kitzhaber’s Emails Should Not Be Prosecuted

UPDATE 6/2/2015 Salem Statesman Journal: Gov. Brown: Do not pursue charges against email whistleblower

UPDATE 6/2/2015 Gov. Kate Brown press release: Not in public’s interest to pursue a case against whistleblower Michael Rodgers

UPDATE 6/3/2015 MSNBC: Oregon lawmaker defending state employee facing prosecution for exposing wrongdoing by former Gov. John Kitzhaber
Joe Scarborough “I don’t know What the hell’s going on in Oregon”

UPDATE 6/3/2015 Associated Press: Whistleblower (Kitzhaber email leaker) won’t face charges