What Is a Whistleblower?
Whistleblower is simply the common term for someone who alerts the authorities about the illegal activities of others. This term can be used in many different contexts, from the schoolyard to the workplace, to fraud against the government.
If you have seen illegal activities, you might have a whistleblower case. Although many people in this position might not want to be the ones who "tell on" the other party, there are many good reasons to do so:
- If it is your employer who is committing the illegal activity, whistleblowing could help you avoid liability for your part in the company and it might be the only way to ensure your rights are not violated by the illegal activity.
- If you have witnessed illegal fraud against the government, you could benefit from the Federal False Claims Act and similar laws in California that provide whistleblowers with a percentage of the money recovered in false claims litigation.
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At Marlin & Saltzman, LLP, we are experienced and well-versed in the law regarding false claims and whistleblower protection. Our attorneys can help make sure that you gain compensation if you are wrongfully terminated through employer retaliation for your whistleblowing. With offices in Los Angeles and Orange County, we have become a prominent employment law litigation firm in the past 25 years.
The two main situations in which whistleblowing arise are:
- Employment — If you see an employer engaging in illegal activities like age or gender discrimination or failure to reimburse employees for business expenses
- False claims against the government — If you see someone charging the government $500 for a $25 toilet seat, or making false tax credit and exemption claims
In the case of false claims against the government, a whistleblower can file a Federal False Claims Act claim or a claim with the state of California.
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If you have witnessed fraud or some other illegal activity — at your workplace, against the government, or in some other context — talk with one of our attorneys free of charge to learn about your legal rights and options. Contact us from anywhere in California to schedule your free initial consultation.
