A whistleblower blows the whistle. The caca hits the fan, and a bunch of denials fly from the people at the top. Suppose the police charge these people with criminal offenses. In that case, they say, “I am one hundred percent absolutely totally innocent of these false allegations, and I will vigorously fight to prove my innocence.”
(When I hear someone say this, I wonder why he or she would have to fight “vigorously” against charges that are “one hundred percent absolutely totally false.”)
Suddenly, poor memories develop with these top people, such as CEOs and top political leaders, when they testify in court or at an Inquiry.
“Did you meet with X on the day in question?”
“Well now, I don’t recall. I have so many meetings, you know, and I forget when I met with whom and when. Blah Blah Blah BS . . . “
Rarely are the top people held accountable for their part in the scandal. Usually, someone below them takes the fall. The odd time the top people go to jail for their actions. But this is rare and happens only if the top people do not have high enough connections.
As for the whistleblowers? They get punished for coming forward. They may get fired or “let go” for some silly reason. They may have difficulty finding another job. If they do not get fired, then their lives are made miserable. This is the price they pay for being upright and honest.
It has taken me a long time to accept that life is not fair.