Earlier this year, the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) proposed a Model Whistleblower Award and Protection Act that would help states bolster their securities enforcement by incentivizing whistleblowers. Constantine Cannon attorneys Eric Havian, Michael Ronickher, and Chris McLamb teamed up with Alexis Ronickher of Katz Marshall & Banks LLP to comment on the proposal, encouraging NASAA...
Following in the footsteps of the hugely successful SEC Whistleblower Program, which recently announced its largest-ever reward of $50 million, the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) has proposed a Model Whistleblower Award and Protection Act that would serve as a guide for states across North America who wish to enact a compelling whistleblower program to bolster their securities...
This month, the Wall Street Journal reported that the SEC has been receiving a “surge” in whistleblower reports under the SEC Whistleblower Program. The article, Tips to SEC Surge as Working From Home Emboldens Whistleblowers, states that the SEC received approximately 4,000 tips between mid-March and mid-May – in the heart of the pandemic – which represented a 35% increase over the equivalent period in 2019....
Government whistleblowers have taken a beating these last few weeks, in particular at the hands of both President Trump and Senator Rand Paul in the course of the impeachment trial. But whistleblowers may have some potent ways to fight back.
First, throughout the short duration of the impeachment trial, Senator Rand Paul used his soapbox both in and out of Senate chambers to loudly proclaim the alleged name of...
Laws Protect Ukraine Whistleblower’s Anonymity: Attorneys Eric Havian, Mike Ronickher, and Max Voldman write for USA Today
Posted 12/5/19
Multiple laws protect the Ukraine whistleblower’s right to anonymity and lawmakers well know it despite their contrary assertions, write Constantine Cannon partners Eric Havian and Mike Ronickher, and attorney Max Voldman in an Opinion piece published in USA Today. Protections against retaliation for the Ukraine whistleblower are found in a number of statutes, including the Intelligence Community Whistleblower...
New York Poised to Become One of Most Whistleblower-Friendly Places
Posted 10/17/19
As anonymous whistleblowers make national headlines daily, so do the attacks on their integrity and calls to reveal their identity. In order to combat the chilling effect on the courageous individuals who report fraud or misconduct, New Yorkers—both at the state and city level—are doubling down on whistleblower protections and encouraging observers of corruption to come forward.
Lat week, New York Attorney...
You know about fraud, waste, abuse, or corruption by an individual or a company. Someone is getting by with cheating -- taking money from the government, taxpayers, or investors, or even harming others, such as patients. You are deeply troubled about it and want the proper authorities to stop it. You are worried whether you will be heard, taken seriously, and protected. You wonder if your information fits within a...
New York Introduces Bills to Expand Whistleblower Protections
Posted 06/21/19
Under current law, whistleblowers who reported fraudulent activity in the government or other settings in the State of New York are typically barred from bringing other legal actions. Maybe not anymore. Last week, both the New York State Senate and Assembly signed off on a series of amendments aimed at providing greater protection for employees who notice and report illegal activity, and expanding the definition of a...
The New York Department of Financial Services has imposed a $15 million fine on Barclays Bank PLC based on efforts by the bank and its CEO, Jess Staley, to identify an anonymous whistleblower within the organization, in contravention of the bank's whistleblower policies. NY
There are numerous laws that protect whistleblowers. Many whistleblower reward laws and other whistleblower protection laws provide protections to whistleblowers from retaliation – through firings, demotions, or other adverse employee actions – for reporting misconduct.
Becoming a whistleblower can be a difficult ordeal. The laws protecting whistleblowers have vastly improved. But the risk of retaliation or...