Whistleblower News From The Inside -- January 26, 2017
By the C|C Whistleblower Lawyer Team
Senate Republican Leader Jackie Winters introduces whistleblower bill – The Salem lawmaker said she was moved to draft the legislation to expand whistleblower protections after reading a story about former Oregon Department of Transportation employee Gerritt Law. Law, a technician in the Motor Carrier Division, repeatedly informed his superiors about problems he found after taking the job in 2013. Law’s complaints eventually triggered multiple investigations that confirmed most of his concerns. But they also led to his firing. The state settled Law’s retaliation lawsuit in May 2017 for $95,000. Winters said the report made her think about how important it is to ensure that public employees are free to bring forth concerns without fear of retaliation. Statesman Journal
Former NFL Giants player sentenced to prison in $1.5 million insurance fraud case– Former National Football League player Marcus Buckley is accused of participating in a $1.5 million scheme to defraud a Sacramento business that managed workers’ compensation claims and has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison. According to the allegations, Buckley prepared and filed numerous requests for reimbursement under his workers’ compensation insurance claim. He prepared false invoices and statements from medical providers for medical services purportedly provided. He also prepared false credit collection notices from collection agencies purportedly seeking payment from Buckley from various medical providers for past-due medical bills. In addition to his sentencing, he was ordered to pay restitution. Sacramento Bee
Federal Judge Seems Sympathetic To Anti-Corruption Case Against President Trump –The state of Maryland and the District of Columbia have alleged that Trump is violating the Constitution’s emoluments clauses, which bar any president from personally profiting from his dealings with foreign governments – or even U.S. state governments. “The fact is, Trump is taking money from foreign governments,” Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh told reporters after the hearing. “He’s taking money from the United States that’s he’s not entitled to, and he’s also receiving payments from states – all that violate his oath of office.” The Justice Department lawyer Brett Shumate, who is defending the president, argued the lawsuit amounts to an “abstract political disagreement” with the president and contended the plaintiffs haven’t suffered any harm that justifies a lawsuit. Judge Peter Messitte, of federal district court in Greenbelt, Md seemed to urge the plaintiffs to amend the suit in ways that might make it more likely to succeed. NPR