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What You Should Know About the SEC’s Whistleblower Program
For the past five years, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has run a program that offers monetary awards to any individuals who can provide useful information regarding a company’s wrongdoing. If these tips lead to SEC enforcement actions, the whistleblower could earn up to 30 percent of the total sanctions the agency levies […]
Whistleblower Earns $1.9 Million Award in Claim Against CHS
A former executive at a Community Health Systems, Inc. (CHS)-owned multispecialty clinic based in Washington state recently won a $1.9 million award after filing a whistleblower lawsuit against CHS and the clinic at which he worked. According to a report from the Spokesman-Review, former CFO Gregg Becker filed the suit 2012, claiming at the time […]
Important Takeaways from the Most Recent SEC Whistleblower Award
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently issued an award resolving the claims of a pair of whistleblowers based on the same action filed against the same entities. However, while one of these whistleblowers got a $3.5 million payout, the other received nothing. Why exactly was this? First, it is important to consider the […]
OSHA Pilot Program to Allow for Expedited Case Processing
The Western Region of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched its Expedited Case Processing Pilot, which allows whistleblowers to request OSHA to expedite its findings during an investigation. For a complainant’s case to be moved to the Office of Administrative Law Judges in an expedited manner, it must meet all of the […]
Former Ontario Hospital Executive Accused of Ethics Violations
A hospital executive in charge of a large redevelopment project in Ontario, Canada, is accused of several ethics violations, according to a report in The Globe and Mail. Suman Bahl, a former vice president at Markham Stouffville Hospital, allegedly used contractors from the hospital’s redevelopment project to help in the renovation of her personal home. […]
Atlanta Company Pays $265,000 in Sanctions to SEC
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has levied a $265,000 sanction against the Atlanta-based BlueLinx Holdings. According to reports, the company settled with the SEC for the amount in question to resolve allegations that it included illegal provisions in its severance agreements that prevented potential whistleblowers from coming forward with complaints to federal officials. […]
SEC Awards $4 Million to Whistleblower Who Alerted Agency to Fraud
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has provided an award of $4 million to a whistleblower who provided the federal agency with information related to a major instance of fraud. The SEC does not disclose much information related to its whistleblower awards, and it is careful to hold back any information that could reveal […]
FRSA Whistleblower Receives $1.6 Million in Jury Verdict
A Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA) whistleblower has received $1.6 million in a jury verdict after he was fired by BNSF for performing a safety check on an air brake on a train carrying hazardous materials. In his complaint, the plaintiff claimed that he was terminated for conducting the safety check after a supervisor told […]
Whistleblowers Could Play an Important Role as Major Banks Work to Combat Cyber Threats
The Wall Street Journal reports that eight of the country’s largest banks are joining forces to combat the ever-present threat of cyber crime — and whistleblowers are playing important roles in these efforts. The group of banks includes Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan Chase. They are reportedly collaborating to share […]
Federal Agency Officials Recognize Importance of Whistleblowers
Four U.S. federal agencies recently celebrated National Whistleblower Day, marking the first time that any had officially recognized the event — even though Congress has passed resolutions proclaiming it in each of the past four years. Several high-profile officials spoke at the August 1 event, including Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz, FBI Director […]
