Financial Services Fraud
The federal False Claims Act broadly prohibits anyone who does business with the federal government from engaging in fraudulent behavior. Accordingly, there are innumerable circumstances where such fraud may occur, and in which a Whistleblower may bring an action to expose the fraud and recover appropriate damages. An example of such fraud includes:
Securities Whistleblowers are provided incentives and protection by the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act(2010). The Dodd-Frank Act offers Whistleblowers significant incentives, and increases protection for Whistleblowers in the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) whistleblower program. This legislation authorizes the SEC to reward those who provide information concerning violations of the federal securities laws at companies that are required to report to the SEC.
Further, the Dodd-Frank Act strengthens the whistleblower protection provisions of the False Claims Act, and contains one of the strongest confidentiality provisions for Whistleblowers ever enacted. For the first time, Whistleblowers will be allowed to initially report fraud anonymously by filing a claim through an attorney.
Additionally, the law prohibits employers from retaliating against Whistleblowers. Employers may not fire, demote, suspend, threaten, harass, or discriminate against a Whistleblower. The Dodd-Frank Act expands the reach of whistleblower protections provided under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to include employees of public companies, as well as employees of its private subsidiaries and affiliates. Whistleblowers who suffer from employment retaliation may sue for reinstatement, back pay, and any other damages incurred.
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Whistleblower Lawsuit Is Filed Against U.S. Bancorp Investments
When Michael Rhinehimer got fired from U.S. Bancorp Investments for trying to protect an elderly client, he decided to get even. He took his former employer to court, and he won. In May, he was awarded $250,000 in damages. In his lawsuit, Rhinehimer claimed that he was fired in retaliation for complaining about another Read More »
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