Two Favorable Rulings for Dodd-Frank Whistleblowers, and the Whittling Away of Asadi

By Gordon Schnell Last summer, the Fifth Circuit in Asadi v. GE Energy ruled the whistleblower retaliation protections of the Dodd-Frank Act apply only to those who actually provide information to the government (through the SEC or CFTC).  If a whistleblower merely reports within the company, to a supervisor or through an internal compliance program, the Fifth Circuit ruled there is no coverage under the Act.  Click here for more.  For now,...

Whistleblower News from the Inside - January 24, 2014

By the C|C Whistleblower Lawyer Team DOJ sues KBR for contract fraud in Iraq – The whistleblower-prompted False Claims Act action alleges that KBR submitted inflated and fraudulent bills and obtained illegal kickbacks in connection with its logistical support contract with the US Army in Iraq.  DOJ Ranbaxy woes continue – The U.S. has banned the company, one of the largest suppliers of ingredients for generic drugs, from selling ingredients...

Top-10 Whistleblower Developments of 2013

By Gordon Schnell There has been a great deal of activity this year in the wild world of whistleblowing -- some of it good; some of it bad; much of it still waiting to unfold.  Here is our listing of 2013’s Top-10 whistleblower developments, many of which we surely will be wrestling with in 2014. 10. UK Whistleblowers.  The United Kingdom seems to be moving in the direction of serious whistleblower...

Top-10 Whistleblower Developments of 2013

By Gordon Schnell There has been a great deal of activity this year in the wild world of whistleblowing -- some of it good; some of it bad; much of it still waiting to unfold.  Here is our listing of 2013’s Top-10 whistleblower developments, many of which we surely will be wrestling with in 2014. 10.  UK Whistleblowers.  The United Kingdom seems to be moving in the direction of serious...

Whistleblower News from the Inside - November 1, 2013

Model photoshopping exposed – ABC video explores the skinny on the extent of model photoshopping and its dangerous social consequences.  ABC Senate Judiciary Committee approves antitrust whistleblower bill – It aims to prevent retaliation against those reporting price-fixing violations to the DOJ.  Reuters Snowden inspiring more NSA leakers – The Government Accountability Project, a whistleblower protection group, says the NSA whistleblower has motivated many others to follow suit.  GAP FDA finds...

SEC Puts Its Money Where Its Mouth Is With $14M Whistleblower Award

By Gordon Schnell It has been more than two years since the SEC Whistleblower Office officially opened its doors.  Born out of the Dodd-Frank Act, it was created to help usher in a new day of more aggressive enforcement at an agency that up until recently many believed was very much asleep at the switch.  But with all of the fanfare surrounding the new office, and the flood of whistleblower...

Whistleblower News from the Inside - September 27, 2013

UN report warns of real threat from global warming – In the 2,000 page report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a collection of the world’s leading climate scientists warn of serious environmental consequences if governments do not take more aggressive action. Washington Post Auto parts makers plead guilty to price-fixing – Nine Japanese companies plead guilty and will pay $745 million in fines for conspiring to fix the...

Fifth Circuit Eliminates Key Whistleblower Retaliation Protections Under Dodd-Frank – A Pyrrhic Victory for Corporations

By Gordon Schnell In a legal ruling that many corporations are surely celebrating, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has significantly narrowed the scope of who qualifies as a whistleblower under the Dodd-Frank Act.  It is only those individuals who actually provide information to the government (through the SEC or CFTC).  If a whistleblower only reports internally, to a supervisor or through the company's internal compliance program, there is no...

Coin Con: Two Companies and Co-Conspirators Pay $25M+ in Crypto Scam

By the Constantine Cannon Whistleblower Team The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) continues to expand its oversight of cryptocurrency and digital asset markets, using its authority under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) to crack down on fraud. Recent enforcement actions highlight the agency’s aggressive posture in addressing fraud involving virtual currencies. The CFTC’s Whistleblower Program plays a key role in this effort by encouraging individuals with knowledge of violations of the CEA to...

Hang Onto Your Heart and Wallet this Valentines Day: How to Protect Yourself Against Romance Scams

With romance scams, the heart isn’t the only thing being stolen. While people are busy falling for sweet words and flirtatious folly, scammers are working their magic to woo people’s wallets across the globe. In time for Valentine’s Day, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Office of Customer Education and Outreach recently launched an awareness program to combat the epidemic of relationship investment scams targeting Americans through social media, text messages,...