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Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys Describe the SEC Whistleblower Program

In 2010, when the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act became law, there was a great deal of conjecture regarding its future. Would the bounty program succeed? How would the SEC support the program? These and the many other questions that people were asking could only really be answered by the passage of time.

The SEC whistleblower program has now been in effect for over four years. Over fifty million dollars in bounties has been awarded to whistleblowers so far. The SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower has already received thousands of tips from whistleblowers in the United States and at least sixty foreign countries. Additional tips continue to come in, and there is no reason to expect that this will stop any time soon. As long as there are companies that are refusing to correct improper conduct, whistleblower will have a reason to come forward and expose their actions.

While the SEC acknowledges its role in supporting and encouraging whistleblowers, people within the SEC are quick to point out that the program would not be nearly as successful as it is without the whistleblowers. These individuals have enabled the SEC to find and stop ongoing fraud, and even to prevent imminent fraud. The SEC whistleblower program has also resulted in an increase of self-reporting from companies. This is likely due to the fact that  companies are now aware of just how willing people are to come forward after witnessing improper conduct if it is not corrected.

The SEC has proven to be a steadfast advocate for whistleblowers, assigning the highest priority to cases of alleged wrongdoing which allege not only improper conduct, but also, retaliation towards individuals who could expose the wrongdoing. It has also extended its advocacy and protection to people who have experienced retaliation after reporting possible violations internally, without having even taken their concerns up to the SEC. It is expected that the SEC whistleblower program will enjoy continued success, especially as more cases are pursued and the public consciousness of how whistleblowers are protected increases.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Providing Strong Advocacy for Mississippi Whistleblowers

The SEC whistleblower program continues to enjoy success, as more and more individuals feel confident that they can report wrongdoing that the companies that they work for have been alerted to and have refused to correct of their own accord. Reporting improper conduct under the SEC whistleblower program does not guarantee that a whistleblower will receive a bounty, but even without a guarantee of payment, people are continuing to come forward, perhaps because of the support and advocacy that whistleblowers receive from the SEC. If you would like to pursue a whistleblower claim, the Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC know how to provide you with the support you need.  Our attorneys are experienced at handling whistleblower lawsuits, and they can help you pursue your claim.  Call the Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free, initial consultation.

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Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys Discuss Homeowners Association Whistleblower Case

Approximately ten years ago, Wanda Murray and others exposed a scheme that was designed to defraud and take control over multiple homeowners’ associations. According to Murray, she was intimidated and harassed by the people who were involved in the fraudulent activity. Other individuals within her group of condominium owners were also targeted for harassment after they became aware of the improper conduct of those involved in the scheme.

Intimidation is at the heart of this whistleblower case, where some individuals were singled out for public mistreatment as examples of what could happen to any others who dared to speak out. Homeowners’ association meetings were essentially controlled by those involved in the scheme, and armed individuals attended meetings to send a clear message of intimidation. Homeowners who wished to speak out on important issues like the repair of construction defects that were present in their homes did not dare to do so under those circumstances. Construction defect repair and other issues were addressed however the controlling group decided they would be handled. Money from construction defect settlements was stolen by at least one company that was owned by an individual within the controlling group. Badly needed repair work was not done on many of the affected properties and improperly or partially done at others. As a result, homes in the developments that were targeted by the scheme lost value, causing economic damage to the homeowners which totaled in the millions of dollars.

The homeowners’ association control scheme was quite involved, with one of the defendants recruiting straw buyers to purchase properties in condominium developments. He then got those individuals onto the homeowners’ association boards by rigging the elections. With people hand-picked by this defendant in powerful decision making positions, his company secured profitable construction defect repair contracts that were worth over seven million dollars, and then performed minimal work under those contracts. The actual work that was performed was valued at about a million and a half dollars. Subcontractors were also defrauded as part of the scheme. When the scheme was brought down, some homeowners had already lost money. Others just barely escaped from sustaining losses of their own because authorities had been informed of the scheme and stepped in just in time.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Representing Whistleblowers throughout Mississippi

It can be difficult to come forward and expose improper corporate conduct, especially if you have been harassed or intimidated. However, it is important that wrongdoing be exposed so that further fraud does not occur, and so that those who have already been affected can be compensated for their losses. If you would like to learn more about whistleblower lawsuits, the Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC can help you.  Our attorneys understand the whistleblower claims process and we can provide you with the information that you are looking for. To learn more, call our office, at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free, initial consultation.

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Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys Talk about Medicare Overbilling Cases

A group of settlements that involves eighteen hospitals in seven different states has arisen out of allegations that the hospitals violated federal law by billing Medicare for psychiatric services that were not medically necessary or even medically reasonable for the patients who received them. Interestingly enough, the hospitals do not admit liability as part of these settlements.

One of the people who will benefit from this collection of settlements is a former employee of a Mississippi hospital. The employee, who has been awarded nearly three and a half million dollars, witnessed illegal billing when he worked as a program director in an outpatient psychotherapy service at the hospital that is now Merit Health Wesley in Hattiesburg. The alleged improper billing occurred between 2005 and 2015. The former employee notified the federal government of the fraudulent billing, and he has pursued whistleblower litigation under the False Claims Act since 2010. The case is still sealed, and there has not yet been government intervention on behalf of the former employee.

The reasons that the psychotherapy services should not have been billed to Medicare include lack of treatment plans and progress monitoring, services provided to patients who did not need them, and a lack of therapeutic focus in the so-called therapy, which has been described as more of a diversion or a recreational endeavor.  Patients who are given services under Medicare should only get the services that address their unique medical needs. When hospitals give patients services that are not warranted based upon their unique set of needs and then bill Medicare that is a fraudulent act. The group of cases involving the Mississippi man who is a former hospital employee is just one of a few similar sets of settlements that have occurred across the nation, exposing a widespread problem of Medicare fraud.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Helping Whistleblowers Expose Wrongdoing in the State of Mississippi

When a health care provider is defrauding the government by overbilling Medicaid, they put the needs of the patient, which are supposed to be their primary concern, behind their desire to make a profit. Patients receive care that is inappropriate for their needs, and providing care that is not needed is a waste of federal funds. Whistleblower lawsuits like the one that is being pursued against the hospital in this article take a lot of time and energy. The brave individuals who file whistleblower lawsuits feel that it is important that they expose the wrongdoing that they have witnessed, so that the company can be held responsible for its actions. If you have seen a business entity breaking the law, the Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC are here to help you.  Our attorneys understand the complexities of the whistleblower lawsuit process, and we will help you pursue the results that you seek. If you have questions about whistleblower lawsuits, please call the experienced and dedicated Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free, initial consultation.

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Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys Discuss West Chester University Whistleblower Retaliation Case

When an individual does the right thing and shares information about violations of the law with the federal government in an attempt to expose fraud, there is always the risk that the whistleblower will face retaliation as the result of his or her actions. Companies are not supposed to retaliate against whistleblowers, and retaliatory action can get them in even greater trouble than the original allegations of wrongdoing.

Colleen Bradley has filed a whistleblower lawsuit against West Chester University of Pennsylvania, alleging that the university keeps misleading financial records. During the course of her work for the University, Bradley uncovered a scheme that took place over at least three years under which millions of taxpayer dollars were misappropriated. She has alleged that she was expected to present false budgets to the state so that the University would continue to receive a certain level of appropriations.

Shortly after Bradley filed the lawsuit, she was notified that her job will be terminated in a couple of months. Prior to that, she had been intimidated, harassed, and otherwise bullied by individuals within the institution. Ms. Bradley’s whistleblower retaliation suit against the university and a few individuals affiliated with the university alleges free speech violations, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and violations of the state whistleblower law.

Retaliation against a whistleblower can take on many forms, including scenarios like the one described above. When an employee who is also a whistleblower is let go, it is possible that they noticed a big difference between when they were at work prior to the whistleblowing and how they were treated after they alerted the government to the problem. From disparate treatment that is not congruent with earlier evaluations, to “special” conditions of employment, it is possible that an employee experiences both direct and subtle types of retaliation after they blow the whistle.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Standing up for Mississippi Whistleblowers  

If after you exposed the wrongdoing of your employer, you experienced any type of retaliation, the Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC are here to help you pursue a whistleblower claim.  Our attorneys know how to guide you through the whistleblower claims process and towards full financial recovery for the various types of losses and damages that you have experienced as a result of your brave actions.  Please call the knowledgeable whistleblower attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free, initial consultation.

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Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys Discuss Government Intervention in ManorCare Lawsuit

The United States government is poised to intervene in a whistleblower lawsuit that has been brought against one of America’s largest nursing home chains, HCR ManorCare. The lawsuit against HCR ManorCare alleges that the company engages in systematic Medicare overbilling, and even worse, pressures administrators to provide inappropriate services to nursing home residents in order to increase profitability.

The lawsuit started in 2009 with a whistleblower lawsuit that was filed by an occupational therapist from northern Virginia. The lawsuit was originally filed under the False Claims Act, which enables private citizens to bring lawsuits on behalf of the United States if they have evidence that tends to show that the government is being defrauded. When claims of this nature are filed, the United States has a choice of whether to investigate them. After the government conducts an investigation, it must decide whether it wants to take over the lawsuit. If the United States chooses to intervene in a case, the whistleblower can collect a percentage of any money that is recovered, but that percentage is slightly less than they would receive if they pursued the matter to completion on their own.

ManorCare denies that there has been any wrongdoing on its part, even after the government’s investigation of the company uncovered a great deal of damaging information. Some of the damaging information is related to the treatment of specific residents, such as the medically fragile eighty five year old man who was supposed to be placed in hospice care but who was instead subjected to a hundred days of rehabilitative therapy, which can be billed at a higher rate, before being placed into hospice care.

When a company is defrauding the government, they expect their employees to cooperate fully with their scheme. This expectation defies the moral sensibilities of many employees, yet some feel powerless to do anything about it, especially in today’s challenging job market. Some employees do take a stand for what is right by taking action to expose the wrongdoing. Whistleblower lawsuits take a lot of time and energy, but they are well worth it when injustices are exposed and companies who have been breaking the rules are held responsible for their actions. Some whistleblowers remain as plaintiffs in their lawsuits until the very end. The United States intervenes in other lawsuits. In either case, the whistleblower receives a portion of any funds that are recovered.

If you are aware of wrongdoing on the part of a corporation or other business entity, the Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC would like to assist you.  Our attorneys understand that whistleblower lawsuits can be complicated, and we are here to guide you through the complexities of your whistleblower lawsuit, towards a result which exposes the wrong actions of a business that is not playing fair. If you have questions about whistleblower lawsuits, please call the experienced whistleblower attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free, initial consultation.

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Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys Discuss Whistleblower’s Big Win against a For-Profit College

It is rare that a whistleblower prevails against a for-profit educational institution, but Heidi Weber has finally succeeded in doing just that. Her victory originally came in 2013, when she won a $400,000 jury award in her lawsuit against Globe University. Weber had worked as a dean in Globe’s medical assistant program until she was fired after informing authorities about unethical recruiting practices that she says were routinely employed by university staff.

According to Weber, whose office was located adjacent to where admissions representatives were working, the admissions representatives would say just about anything to convince prospective students to enroll, including misrepresenting what graduates of the program could hope to accomplish financially after they graduated, providing overly optimistic job placement rates, and even telling prospective students that they could transfer their credits to other colleges when those colleges would not actually accept them. When Weber started trying to resolve her concerns internally, by speaking with college officials up the chain of command, she was told to keep quiet. When she refused to do so, she was fired. Globe University claims that she was fired because of performance concerns, and not because she accused university officials of wrongdoing.

Globe University is a career school that was established in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1885 as a business school. Since the 1970’s, the college has since expanded into a chain of schools that offers on-campus and online degree and certificate programs. Globe University had been growing by leaps and bounds from 2003 to 2010, opening many new campuses and tripling its enrollment. However, the college has been experiencing significant difficulties since 2010. Heidi Weber’s win against Globe University is one of several problems that the college is currently experiencing. Enrollment has dropped sixty percent since 2010, and the college has been sued by the Minnesota Attorney General, who alleges that Globe defrauded students in its criminal justice program.

Weber’s case is unique in that it is one of the first cases in which a whistleblower was awarded compensation by a jury in a case involving a for-profit college. Other cases have been pursued against colleges for deceptive marketing, but plaintiffs’ victories to date have been few and far between. Unfortunately, Globe appealed Weber’s verdict, so she was unable to enjoy her success until just recently, when the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in her favor in the final round of appeals.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Protecting Whistleblowers throughout Mississippi

Heidi Weber’s win against Globe University is encouraging because it shows that it is possible for one person to take on a large institution and succeed. If you were fired, demoted, or otherwise harmed after reporting the unethical practices of your employer, the Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC are here to help you pursue a whistleblower claim.  Our attorneys will guide you through the whistleblower claims process towards resolution of your case.  If you have questions about whistleblower lawsuits, please contact the experienced Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today, at 1 (601) 790-1505, to schedule your free, initial consultation.

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Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys Report: Whistleblower in Pilot Investigation Files Lawsuit

Recently, John Verble, the financial planner at Morgan Stanley who was a key confidential source in the FBI investigation into Pilot Flying J, filed a whistleblower lawsuit in federal court last week.  Verble claims that he was fired after his important role in the investigation was discovered.

John Verble, a Morgan Stanley executive, filed the suit in Knoxville, Tennessee, in federal court.  The lawsuit seeks to recover hundreds of thousands of dollars in back pay and brokerage funds held with Morgan Stanley that Verble claims the company has frozen.  In a statement released shortly after the suit was filed, Morgan Stanley dismissed the allegations and stated it intends to fight the suit fully.

Verble played an important role in the FBI investigation that uncovered fraud at the truck stop chain Flying J.  Verble wore a wire and assisted the FBI in its investigations into fraud.  He claims that when a superior at Morgan Stanley became aware of Verble’s efforts, he physically threatened him.

The FBI investigation into Pilot Flying J related to rebates made to the company but never paid to trucking companies as a part of a fraud scheme that involved top level executives.  Last year, Pilot Flying J, based out of Knoxville, Tennessee, accepted responsibility for the criminal conduct of its employees.  It agreed to pay a total of $92 million in penalties in a settlement with the federal government. In addition, ten employees pled guilty to various charges.

Verble’s suit contains several allegations of wrongdoing.  He claims that as a result of his assistance in the FBI investigations into Flying J he was retaliated against, discriminated against, then ultimately illegally discharged from his position.  He demands that he either be returned to his previous position to receive damages equal to double his salary of about $360,000 until he reaches the retirement age of 68.

Verble additionally claims that during his time with Morgan Stanley, he became aware of numerous illegal activities, including those that violate the Sarbanes Oxley Act. He claims to have uncovered insider trading involving the office’s employees and clients concerning Miller Energy Resources, Inc.  He also alleges that Miller Energy’s books were manipulated in an effort to conceal some transactions from shareholders along with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Thus far, securities regulators and law enforcement officials have not probed the potential fraud involving Miller Energy and claim they have not received any complaints from Verble or anyone else that relate to the allegations now made in the lawsuit.

Verble was placed on administrative leave in 2013 the eventually fired.  His public BrokerCheck record reports that he was fired for accepting third party funds, but Verble disputes this account.  His attorneys claim his firing was a classic act of retaliation and reports that many facts will come out during the suit that are currently hidden due to ongoing federal investigations.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Protecting Brave Whistleblowers Across the State 

Despite the universally acknowledged importance of whistleblowers to the government and American public, thousands of whistleblowers experience retaliation as a result of their actions.  John Verble is just the latest of many whistleblowers to lose his job due to his brave ac of coming forward to expose fraud.  If you are a whistleblower who has or may have experienced any sort of retaliation, the Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC can help.  Our attorneys understand the complex nature of whistleblower suits and will skillfully guide you towards a full recovery for the losses you experienced as a result of your lawful actions.  Call the experienced whistleblower attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation.

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Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys Report: Fifth Circuit Approves Name Dropping As Grounds for Retaliation Claim

The Fifth Circuit recently issued an important ruling concerning the grounds for Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) retaliation claims.  The case involved the following facts:  Anthony Menendez was hired by Halliburton, Inc. as its director of technical accounting research and training out of its Houston office.  Menendez raised concerns about some of the company’s accounting practices, including some revenue recognition that did not conform with accepted accounting principles.  He was criticized by the individual above him for raising the concerns, and Halliburton ultimately concluded their practices were proper.  Menendez tried to raise the issue again but was denied.

As a result, Menendez filed a complaint with the SEC alleging that Halliburton was engaging in questionable accounting practices.  He additionally filed an internal complaint, as was the practice established by the audit committee.  The SEC contacted Halliburton’s general counsel concerning the complaint, and the general counsel determined that Menendez was the source of the complaint.  He then forwarded an email to several employees and managers within the company informing them that the SEC had opened an inquiry based on Menendez’s allegations.

Menendez reported that after that email circulated, he was treated differently.  Others avoided him and the work environment caused him to miss work frequently, ultimately requesting paid administrative leave.  The SEC did not find that action was necessary against Halliburton, but Menendez filed a SOX complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) claiming that Halliburton retaliated against him because of his complaints with the SEC by disclosing his identity as a whistleblower to his colleagues.

The district court found that Halliburton had retaliated against Menendez and awarded him $30,000.  The Fifth Circuit upheld this decision.  The court found that Halliburton’s disclosure of Menendez’s identity as a whistleblower did constitute an adverse event because it created an environment in which Menendez could be ostracized and prevented from opportunities for advancement.

This decision is an important one for employers and employees alike.  Employers should be aware that coworkers are likely to distance themselves from whistleblowers either out of insult, in an attempt to retaliate against the coworker, or simply to avoid additional accusations.  It is imperative that the identity of whistleblowers be protected.  Employers should avoid name dropping and take all precautions to protect the identity of whistleblowers.

For employees, this case creates additional potential grounds for the filing of SOX complaints.  If you are a whistleblower whose employer has revealed your identity and this has created an adverse environment or avoidance by coworkers, you may have an actionable claim.  Any employee who finds him or herself in this position should consult with a whistleblower attorney as soon as possible to protect their legal rights.  Your attorney will review the action of your employer to uncover whether you have a case for a SOX violation or other retaliation claim.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Experienced Whistleblower Attorneys Assisting in a Variety of Whistleblower and Retaliation Claims Across the State  

Whistleblowers serve a vital function in our society, uncovering fraud and wrongdoing and protecting American taxpayers in doing so.  As a result, it is imperative that the identity of whistleblowers remain protected until the law requires it be disclosed.  Disclosing the whistleblower’s identity at the time of initial complaints to coworkers can create a negative environment for the employee.  If you are an employee who has been retaliated against due to your whistleblowing activity, the Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC can help.  We assist whistleblowers across the state in a wide variety of actions.  Call the seasoned whistleblower attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation.

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Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys Report: U.S. Government Accountability Office Claims FBI Needs to Improve Whistleblower Protection

A report recently released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reveals that the FBI lacks a sufficient process for whistleblowers to address retaliation after they report wrongdoing to supervisors, which puts them at additional risk for further reprisals.

The GAO report outlines that unlike most other executive branch agencies, the FBI does not have a process in which employees can seek corrective action in the event they experience retaliation based on disclosures of wrongdoing to supervisors or others in the chain of command.

In dismissing reprisal complaints submitted to supervisors, FBI whistleblowers are left without protection from further retaliation.  The dismissal of these potential legitimate complaints could deny whistleblowers access to full recourse, thus permitting the retaliatory action to go uninvestigated and discouraging would be whistleblowers from coming forward.

The GAO explained that it initiated this study due to the high rate of FBI whistleblower retaliation.  The report details the experience of one FBI whistleblower who suffered retaliation after reporting that another agent stole items from Ground Zero after the September 11 attacks.  Although the Justice Department eventually ruled in the whistleblower’s favor, it took ten years to settle the complaint.

In the report, the GAO also asked Congress to consider revising regulations so that FBI whistleblowers could seek recourse against retaliation for whistleblower complaints made to people within their chain of complaint.  The watchdog agency additionally called for the Justice Department to correct its defective grievance process which currently puts whistleblowers at risk.

FBI whistleblowers serve a vital function to the government and U.S. citizens.  They help to safeguard the government against waste and fraud.  Yet it appears that the DOJ is not handling these vital whistleblower complaints as they should be.  The GAO report reveals that the DOJ dismissed 48 out of 62 FBI whistleblower complaints because they failed to meet regulatory requirements.  For instance, 17 of the complaints were dismissed because they were made with someone not permitted to receive the disclosure.  Timeliness was also a major concern of the GAO.  The complaints took a minimum of two years to resolve, and some took over ten years to find relief.

In October of last year, the FBI revealed that it intended to revamp its whistleblower rules to make it easier for employees and agents to report misconduct occurring within the agency.  The changes would include expanding the list of individuals eligible to receive a complaint and making whistleblowers potentially able to receive compensation for their efforts.  These reform ideas came in the wake of Edward Snowden’s massive release of classified documents.

The FBI’s culture against whistleblowers will not be an easy one to change, but hopefully with more and more agencies revealing problems within the system, real reform will continue within the system.  The FBI and the American public rely on whistleblowers to uncover fraud so it is imperative we do all we can to encourage these brave individuals to come forward.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Helping Brave Whistleblowers Expose Fraud and Wrongdoing 

Whistleblowers are at the heart of the American judicial system and economy.  Whistleblowers serve the vital function of uncovering wrongdoing that would otherwise likely continue unchecked, costing the government and in turn American taxpayers millions of dollars.  The Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC help whistleblowers across the state to bring qui tam and retaliation actions.  A successful qui tam suit can result in the award of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.  Call the experienced whistleblower attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation.

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Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys Offer the Ten Things You Should Know Before You Blow the Whistle

Whistleblowing results in the recovery of billions of U.S. dollars every year.  It is considered one of the greatest weapons against corporate fraud, and the brave whistleblowers who reveal illegal practices occurring to the detriment of the government are rewarded for their efforts.  Whistleblowers receive up to 30 percent of the funds recovered by the government, which can equate to millions of dollars when large scale fraud is unveiled.

If you are an employee considering blowing the whistle on your employer, the following list of things you should know before whistleblowing is for you:

  1. Whistleblowing is extremely effective in controlling corporate crime:  In interviewing a number of CEOs, CFOs, and CCOs from global corporations, Price Waterhouse found that whistleblowers are the most effective source of information for uncovering corporate crime.
  2. Do not delay:  Even if you have the best case, if you do not file on time it could be worth nothing.  Do not delay—seek legal assistance early on and ensure your action is timely filed.
  3. Be prepared for the blowback:  Whistleblowing is serious and can impact your career and family. You need to take steps to protect yourself and your job, which first involves securing the representation of an attorney you can trust.
  4. Embrace your whistleblower status:  Whistleblowers will often state that they are not whistleblowers; they are just doing their job.  While this may initially be true, it is important that whistleblowers accept their status change.  By embracing being a whistleblower, you will be better equipped to take action to protect your career.
  5. Don’t accept hush money:  Corporations have been known to essentially pay whistleblowers off so that they will not pursue action.  You will earn more and bring about justice by pursuing your whistleblower action.
  6. Be wary of hotlines: Large corporations often set up hotlines for employees to report wrongdoing.  Sometimes the hotlines are effective, other times they simply alert the company to take action against the complaining employee.
  7. Do not take legal advice from the corporate compliance officer:  The corporate compliance officer and hotline investigators work for the company, not the employees.  They are not obligated to inform employees of their legal rights and do not have the employees’ best interests at heart.
  8. Watch out for corporate confidentiality:  The details of the complaint will often make it easy for the corporate officials to figure out the identity of the whistleblower.  This puts you at risk for retaliation early on.  This makes it important for you to seek legal protection from the start.
  9. Do not break the law:  Make sure you do not break the law in gathering information concerning the corporate wrongdoing, or you could face legal action as well.
  10. Select the right attorney:  You could receive a large reward if your whistleblower action is successful, but your career is very much on the line.  Chose an experienced attorney who will successfully bring your case so that you receive the reward to which you are entitled.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Representing Whistleblowers in Qui Tam Cases and Related Matters  

Whistleblowers serve a vital function in society, curbing corporate fraud and protecting taxpayer funds.  Whistleblowing is a worthy action, but one that can be complex and can result in backlash to the whistleblower if they are not properly protected.  The Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC offer superior legal services to any potential whistleblower.  We understand the array of complex issues involved in whistleblowing and will successfully bring your action while ensuring you do not become a victim of retaliation.  Call the experienced whistleblower attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation.

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