By Steve Kardell | Published March 16, 2023 | Posted in Whistleblower Litigation | Tagged Tags: California Public Utilities Commission, employer retaliation, misconduct | Comments Off on California Public Utilities Commission Whistleblower Trial Wraps Up
California Public Utilities Commission Whistleblower Trial Wraps Up
A whistleblower case against the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) wrapped up in November 2022. The former, fired CPUC executive director is seeking up to $4.8 million for reporting “fiscal and operational dysfunction.” CPUC is denying the allegations. Case background The six week trial took place in California state court, in which Alice Stebbins, the Read More
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Ex-Fiat Chrysler Worker’s Suit Revived in the Sixth Circuit
Last November, the Sixth Circuit revived a former Fiat Chrysler employee’s suit. The employee claimed that he was fired for taking off time from work, in order to manage his mental health conditions. He claimed that he had provided adequate notice under the FMLA, and his firing was unjust. Case background Edward Render worked in Read More
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A Florida Koozie Maker Settles COVID-19 Layoff Case for Over $350,000
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a lot of layoffs, including those at Scribe Opco Inc., also known as the Koozie Group. 212 employees from the Florida and Minnesota plants were laid off at the beginning of the pandemic, and sought compensation from the company. Case background Former Koozie Group employee and class representative Eric Jones Read More
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Former Chicken of the Sea Employee Claims She Was Fired in Retaliation for Reporting Misconduct
A former Chicken of the Sea employee has filed a complaint in Georgia federal court, alleging that she was fired from her HR position when she questioned misappropriation of ERISA-governed benefit funds. Case background Leah Thomas, a human resources employee for Chicken of the Sea, says she was fired after she reported possible issues with Read More
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Healthcare Entities Pay Over $2.6 Million to Settle Misconduct Allegations
A doctor and a healthcare facility have agreed to pay more than $2.6 million to settle False Claims Act allegations. They were accused of improperly billing both state and federal healthcare programs, as well as receiving illegal kickbacks. Case background Kevin P. Greene, M.D., and Feel Well Health Center of Southington, P.C. were accused of Read More
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The U.S. CFTC Reaches $710 Million Settlement with 11 Financial Institutions
Late last year, the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission reached a $710 million settlement with 11 major financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley, Citibank and Bank of America, for recordkeeping and supervision failures. Similarly, the SEC announced a $1.1 billion settlement with the same institutions, for the same behavior. Case background Read More
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A Quick Guide to Coronavirus Whistleblowing
The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a lot of change—and ample opportunities for fraud and misconduct. If you know of coronavirus-related misconduct, consider alerting the government. Not only are there protections in place for whistleblowers, but many programs incentivize tips with monetary awards. Here’s a quick guide to coronavirus whistleblowing. Which statutes and programs apply? Depending Read More
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Reporting Fraud Against the Government
Every year, the federal U.S. government spends hundreds of billions of dollars on various goods and services, such as military spending, education, disaster relief, transportation, environmental protection and more. Much of this spending is paid directly to private contractors, state and local governments to fund various programs. What happens when someone tries to defraud the Read More
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Whistleblower Protection Programs in the United States
Whistleblowers are one of the most effective tools against corporate or government fraud and misconduct. There are many programs available, which not only provide protection against retaliation, but may also provide rewards for speaking up. Here are some of the programs currently available. False Claims Act The Department of Justice uses the FCA to prosecute Read More
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Georgia County Under Scrutiny Due to ‘Abhorrent’ Misconduct
Bartow County, Georgia is facing a lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) after its HR department failed to stop “abhorrent” misconduct, and racially harassed the employee who reported the initial problem. Case background A Bartow County employee reported that a coworker had used a racial slur in a text message to him. Shortly Read More
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