Whistleblower News from the Inside - October 8, 2013
Pharma firms fund FDA advisory panel on painkillers – Internal FDA emails show that major pharmaceutical companies paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to participate on a scientific panel set up to advise the FDA on painkiller safety and effectiveness. Washington Post
NSA’s new billion dollar spying center is not working – There have been 10 electrical meltdowns in the past 13 months preventing the NSA from opening the one million square foot, $1.4 billion facility, slated to be the spy agency’s largest. WSJ
Madoff’s in jail, but authorities still mopping up – The first criminal trial stemming from the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme begins today in New York federal court against five Madoff underlings. WSJ
Indian tribes mishandling federal funding – Tens of millions of dollars are being stolen or wasted by tribal leaders with federal authorities doing very little to stop it. AP
Top athletes mixing the message on healthy eating – A Yale University study finds that many of the country’s most recognized and physically fit athletes are endorsing sugary, fatty foods in advertising directed at kids. Reuters
AirBnB probed over illegal rentals – The NYAG is looking into whether the vacation subletting service is violating rental laws that prohibit turning apartments into makeshift hotels. Bloomberg