Whistleblower News from the Inside - September 13, 2013

Female politicians less corrupt – According to a study out of Rice University, female politicians in democratic countries are less likely than their male counterparts to participate in and tolerate corrupt practices.  Time

FTC investigating new Facebook privacy policy – Following a storm of protest from users and privacy advocates, the FTC is investigating Facebook’s new requirement that users allow the company to use their personal information in advertising.  NYT

JP Morgan beefing up compliance – With $18 billion in legal expenses since 2008 and a host of existing legal and regulatory challenges, the bank says it will commit $4 billion and 5,000 extra employees to clean up its risk and compliance problems.  WSJ 

Poll finds financial fraud widespread – The poll, conducted by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FIRA), found that more than 4 of every 5 surveyed have been the target of fraud and that 11% of them paid dearly for it.  LA Times

Consulting industry under scrutiny – New York State has subpoenaed Promontory Financial and PricewaterhouseCoopers as part of a broader investigation into the consulting industry’s role in the recent spate of bank misconduct.  NYT

Great Plains running dry – Sizeable portions of the Ogallala Aquifer, which irrigates 20% of the country’s wheat, corn, cattle and cotton, are being depleted faster than they can be recharged by rain.  Washington Post