Ralph S. Tyler, FDA Chief Counsel (2009-’11)

Ralph S. Tyler, who led the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Chief Counsel from 2009 to 2011, was briefed in 2010 on the agency’s efforts to spy on a whistleblower, The Wall Street Journal reported Aug. 6.

The FDA revealed this information in a letter to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who has been investigating the FDA’s surveillance campaign since early 2012.

The Journal further reported that Tyler did not object to the program when briefed. The program apparently grew from the surveillance of one whistleblower to an additional four whistleblowers. That in turn led to the interception of communications with congressional staffers, outside investigators, attorneys, and journalists, according to the New York Times.

Tyler is currently a partner with the law firm Venable LLP, in Washington.

Prior to joining the FDA, Tyler served as Maryland’s state insurance commissioner and as chief legal counsel to Governor Martin O’Malley (D-Md.), according to his Venable bio.

An e-mail sent to Tyler’s work address was not returned.