Apparently the Ceballos case split the Supreme Court previously and they are going to start re-hearing it today, with new judge Alito probably casting the deciding vote. A summary of the case:
"While a deputy district attorney in Los Angeles County, Richard Ceballos investigated allegations of police misconduct in a case his office was prosecuting. After finding evidence suggesting that a deputy sheriff might have lied in order to obtain a search warrant, Mr. Ceballos drafted a memo to supervisors detailing the wrongdoing and recommending that they drop the case. After supervisors proceeded with the prosecution, Mr. Ceballos informed the defense of his findings, as required by law. He was subsequently removed from the prosecution's team, demoted and transferred to a different office."
Source
Ceballos is of course suing over his victimization. He won in the 9th circuit but the 9th circuit is often overturned by the Supremes.
The really odd thing about the case is that he was victimized because he followed the rules. If he had leaked to the Press, he would have had some protection under whistleblower legislation. So there is no free speech WITHIN the government according to his bosses. Government employees are supposed to be loyal to their bosses even if it means covering up wrongdoing! A most obnoxious idea!
