Deal: Lawmakers should revisit whistleblower rules

ATLANTA (AP) -- Gov. Nathan Deal says lawmakers should consider whether government employees responsible for conducting investigations should be "automatically" granted whistleblower protection if they decide to sue.<br /> <br /> The issue stems from a state Supreme Court ruling last year and a recent verdict against the state ethics commission. A jury sided with a former commission employee who alleged retaliation for investigating ethics complaints against Deal.<br /> <br /> Deal said Tuesday that lawmakers should review circumstances that may factor into giving whistleblower status to people who are charged with investigations, noting a number of employees fall under that category.<br /> <br /> The ethics commission is facing at least two other lawsuits alleging retaliation related to the Deal investigation. Deal has denied any involvement with actions taken by the commission.