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Whistleblower Representation

SGT has a proud record-setting history of representing individuals who come forward to expose corporate wrongdoing.

SGT believes whistleblowers play an important role in our society by coming forward with information about fraud and misconduct. Our firm is proud to have represented whistleblowers reporting misconduct, to have worked with the government on their behalf, and to have protected our clients from retaliation. In 1994 SGT settled a whistleblower action for $150 million against a defense contractor which was at the time the largest ever recovery for an action brought under the False Claims Act. The $22.5 million share our client received was similarly at the time the largest award ever paid out under the FCA.

There are several laws which provide mechanisms for reporting misconduct and protection for those who do. Laws with qui tam and/or whistleblower protection provisions include, but are not limited to, the False Claims Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

False Claims Act

The federal False Claims Act allows individuals who have information about fraud being committed against the government to file a lawsuit on behalf of the government. If the lawsuit is successful, the individual may be eligible for a percentage of the recovery. The False Claims Act also provides protections for whistleblowers against retaliation.

Qui Tam Provision of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act is a federal law that was enacted in response to the financial crisis of 2008. The act includes a provision known as "qui tam," which allows individuals with information about securities or commodities fraud to sue on behalf of the government. If the lawsuit is successful, the individual may be eligible for a percentage of the recovery. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act also provides protections for whistleblowers against retaliation.

Sarbanes-Oxley

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act is a federal law that was enacted in response to corporate scandals involving Enron and WorldCom. The act contains whistleblower provisions that protect individuals who report securities fraud from retaliation. Additionally, the act established the Securities and Exchange Commission's Office of Investor Affairs to help investors resolve complaints against public companies.

In addition to federal laws, many states have enacted their own laws protecting whistleblowers from retaliation. These laws vary from state to state, but typically provide protections similar to those found in federal law.

If you have knowledge of corporate wrongdoing, contact one of our SGT’s experienced whistleblower representation attorneys today. Taking action as a whistleblower can be complex and understanding your legal rights is critical to ensuring a positive outcome.

Representative Cases

Silver Golub & Teitell represented the relator in a federal False Claims Act (“FCA”) action against United Technologies Corporation which alleged, inter alia, that UTC had prematurely billed the government for work not yet performed on a helicopter contract and had inflated material inventories used as a basis for progress bills on its fixed-price contracts. The relator Douglas Keeth also alleged that UTC officials attempted to suppress disclosure of the improper Sikorsky practices after the company discovered and investigated the practices while participating in the Defense Department’s voluntary disclosure program.

The qui tam litigation resulted in a $150 million settlement which at the time was the largest ever recovery for an action brought under the FCA. The whistleblower client receiving a relator’s share of $22.5 million which was then also the largest such FCA award ever given to a relator.

The case was United States ex rel. Keethv. United Technologies Corporation, No. H-89-323 (1994) brought in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut before Hon. Alan H. Nevas.

Contacts

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David S. Golub

Partner

Photo of Steven L. Bloch
Steven L. Bloch

Partner

Photo of Ian W. Sloss
Ian W. Sloss

Partner

Photo of David S. Golub

David S. Golub Partner

Photo of Steven L. Bloch

Steven L. Bloch Partner

Photo of Ian W. Sloss

Ian W. Sloss Partner

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Paul A. Slager Partner

(203) 325-4491

Contact Us

Contact our experienced attorneys today at (203) 325-4491 or info@sgtlaw.com to arrange a free, confidential consultation.

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