Whistleblower Protection
Whistleblowers play a critical role in protecting the public by exposing fraud, waste, corruption, and illegal activity that might otherwise go undetected. Whether it is a healthcare company billing the government for services that were never provided, a defense contractor cutting corners on military equipment, or a corporation hiding financial wrongdoing from investors, whistleblowers are often the only people in a position to bring this misconduct to light.
At Justly Prudent, we represent whistleblowers who have the courage to come forward with information about wrongdoing. We help them navigate complex federal and state reporting programs, protect them from retaliation, and, when applicable, pursue financial rewards for helping the government recover stolen or wasted funds. We understand that the decision to blow the whistle is never easy—it can put your career, your livelihood, and your personal relationships at risk. That is why we provide confidential guidance from the very first conversation and stand by our clients throughout the entire process.
We serve whistleblower clients across Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, Florida, and Massachusetts. Contact us to discuss your specific circumstances.
Whistleblower Practice Areas
Tax Fraud and IRS Whistleblowers
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Whistleblower Program rewards individuals who report significant tax fraud and underpayment of taxes. If the information provided leads to the collection of taxes, penalties, and interest, the whistleblower may be entitled to receive a percentage of the amount collected. The IRS program covers fraud involving individuals, corporations, and other entities that owe substantial amounts in unpaid taxes. Our firm helps tax fraud whistleblowers navigate the IRS reporting process and pursue the rewards they are entitled to receive. Contact us to discuss your specific situation and legal needs.
False Claims Act & Qui Tam Actions
The False Claims Act is one of the most powerful tools available for combating fraud against the federal government. Under this law, a private individual (known as a "relator") can file a lawsuit on behalf of the government against a company or person that has submitted false or fraudulent claims for government payment. This type of lawsuit is called a qui tam action. If the government recovers money as a result of the lawsuit, the whistleblower may be entitled to receive a percentage of the recovery, which can be substantial. Our legal professionals guide whistleblowers through every stage of the qui tam process, from the initial filing under seal to working with government investigators and ultimately pursuing the case through litigation if necessary. Contact us to discuss your specific situation and legal needs.
Financial Fraud & SEC Whistleblowers
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Whistleblower Program provides financial rewards and legal protections to individuals who report securities violations, including insider trading, accounting fraud, market manipulation, and other misconduct that harms investors. Whistleblowers who provide original information that leads to a successful SEC enforcement action may receive between 10 and 30 percent of the monetary sanctions collected. Our firm helps financial industry whistleblowers understand their rights under the SEC program, submit effective tips and complaints, and protect themselves from retaliation by their employers. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.
Workplace Safety Violations
Workers who report unsafe conditions in their workplace are protected from retaliation under federal law. This includes reporting violations of Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and other safety regulations. Workplace safety violations can include failure to provide proper safety equipment, exposure to hazardous materials without adequate protection, failure to maintain safe working conditions, and retaliation against employees who report unsafe conditions or refuse to perform dangerous work. Our firm represents workers who report safety violations and helps them pursue claims if they face retaliation for doing so. Contact us to discuss the specific facts and circumstances surrounding your situation.
Banking & Financial Institution Fraud
The Dodd-Frank Act and other federal laws provide protections and financial incentives for individuals who report fraud and misconduct in the banking and financial services industry. This includes fraud related to consumer lending practices, mortgage fraud, manipulation of financial benchmarks, sanctions violations, and other forms of institutional misconduct. Our firm helps banking and financial industry whistleblowers understand their reporting options, file effective complaints with the appropriate agencies, and protect themselves from employer retaliation. Contact us to discuss the specific facts and circumstances surrounding your situation.
Whistleblower Retaliation
One of the most important protections available to whistleblowers is the right to be free from retaliation. Federal and state laws prohibit employers from firing, demoting, suspending, threatening, harassing, or otherwise punishing employees who report fraud, safety violations, or other illegal activity. Despite these protections, retaliation remains one of the most common experiences whistleblowers face. Our firm represents whistleblowers who have been retaliated against and works to secure remedies that may include reinstatement, back pay, compensatory damages, and attorney's fees. We fight to make sure that whistleblowers are not punished for doing the right thing. Contact us to discuss the specific facts and circumstances surrounding your situation.
Sarbanes-Oxley & Corporate Governance Violations
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) was enacted to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate financial disclosures. SOX includes strong whistleblower protections for employees of publicly traded companies who report violations of securities laws, shareholder fraud, bank fraud, or violations of SEC rules and regulations. Employees who are retaliated against for reporting these violations may file a complaint with the Department of Labor and pursue remedies including reinstatement, back pay, and compensatory damages. Our firm represents corporate whistleblowers who face retaliation for reporting financial fraud and governance violations within their organizations. Contact us to discuss the specific facts and circumstances surrounding your situation.
Environmental Violations
Federal environmental laws like the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act contain whistleblower protections for individuals who report environmental violations. Companies that illegally dump toxic waste, discharge pollutants into waterways, falsify environmental compliance reports, or otherwise violate environmental regulations can be held accountable through whistleblower complaints and enforcement actions. Our firm represents individuals who report environmental violations and protects them from retaliation by employers who attempt to punish them for speaking up. Contact us to discuss the specific facts and circumstances surrounding your situation.
Not Sure Where Your Case Fits?
If you have information about fraud, waste, corruption, or other illegal activity (or if you have been retaliated against for reporting misconduct) contact Justly Prudent today for a confidential consultation. You can reach us by phone at (202) 921-6080, by email at info@justlyprudent.com, or by completing the form on our Contact Us page.