By Steve Kardell | Published April 5, 2022 | Posted in Employee Rights, Whistleblower Litigation | Tagged Tags: California Supreme Court, whistleblower protections, whistleblower retaliation | Comments Off on California Supreme Court Ruling Makes it More Difficult for Employers to Dismiss Whistleblower Retaliation Claims
California Supreme Court Ruling Makes it More Difficult for Employers to Dismiss Whistleblower Retaliation Claims
A recent opinion from the California Supreme Court makes it more difficult for employers to avoid or dismiss claims of whistleblower retaliation. The ruling came in the case of Wallen Lawson v. PPG Architectural Finishes Inc. The court unanimously decided to apply more lenient standards of evidence when evaluating whistleblower retaliation claims under the state’s Read More
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SEC Considers Changes to Rules of its Whistleblower Program
On February 10, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced a pair of proposed changes to some of the rules that govern the agency’s successful whistleblower program. The proposed amendments are to Exchange Act Rules 21F-3 and 6. If the amendments were to be adopted, they would ensure whistleblowers are more appropriately rewarded for their Read More
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SEC Issues $600,000 Whistleblower Award
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a $600,000 whistleblower award on Tuesday, February 22 to an individual who voluntarily submitted unique, credible information to the agency that led to a successful high-value enforcement action. As is the case with all SEC awards, the agency did not release any information about the whistleblower or Read More
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Maryland Doctor Imprisoned Over Illegal Kickback Scheme
A doctor in Baltimore County, Maryland will spend eight months in federal prison and another with supervision upon release after he was involved with in a kickback scheme to prescribe pain medications known to be highly addictive. The illegal activity took place from 2012 to 2018. Case background The 65-year-old doctor is Howard J. Hoffberg, Read More
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Hayat Pharmacy to Settle False Claims Act Case for $2 Million
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced a settlement with Milwaukee-based chain Hayat Pharmacy for $2.05 over allegations the pharmacy made false claims to Medicaid and Medicare for prescription medications. The money from the settlement will be divided between the Wisconsin state government and the federal government. Wisconsin will receive approximately 34 percent Read More
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Hawaii Deputy Fired After 40 Years of Service Files Wrongful Termination Claim
A former deputy sheriff recently filed a lawsuit against Hawaii’s Department of Public Safety, claiming he was a victim of wrongful termination. The whistleblower, Tommy Cayetano, claimed former DPS Director Nolan Espinda fired him in 2020 despite him having a 38 year record of public service with no disciplinary actions. He also claims an internal Read More
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Brockton Urology Will Pay $100,000 in False Claims Act Settlement
Brockton Urology Clinic LLC in North Easton, Massachusetts recently agreed to pay $100,000 to settle claims it submitted false claims to Medicare in violation of federal law. The case is yet another example of healthcare fraud cases that cost the United States billions of dollars every single year. Case background According to the settlement agreement, Read More
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San Jose State University Agrees to Settle Sex Abuse Coverup Lawsuit
San Jose State University (SJSU) recently agreed to settle a lawsuit alleging a coverup of sexual abuse allegations. The claimant was a whistleblower who targeted the suit against the university and former athletic director Marie Tuite. The settlement value was $560,000. Case background In the suit, whistleblower Steve O’Brien claimed the university fired him because Read More
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Information About the Major 2021 Medicare Part C Fraud Settlements
Healthcare fraud costs the United States billions of dollars every year—and those are just the schemes that get uncovered. This was true once again in 2021, as healthcare fraud was the top source of False Claims Act violations for the year. Of $5.6 billion in total False Claims Act settlements and judgements last year, approximately Read More
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Older Employees At Risk for Age Discrimination
In late 2018, ProPublica and the Urban Institute released studies that indicated more than half of older American workers were pushed out of their jobs before they were ready to retire, resulting in some significant financial damage. These studies simply revealed what many already suspected—that age discrimination is a real problem in the United States Read More
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