Advocates for Justice

PG&E is on probation for its six felony convictions related to the 2010 San Bruno gas pipeline explosion, which killed 8 people, injured 58 and destroyed 38 homes. U.S. District Judge William Alsup is overseeing PG&E’s probation. As part of the probation proceedings, Judge Alsup has found PG&E violated its criminal probation by failing to notify a probation officer of a criminal investigation, prosecution and settlement with the Butte County District Attorney’s Office over its role starting the 150-acre Honey Fire in October 2017. The probation proceedings are on-going and Judge Alsup is considering forcing the utility to take far-reaching reform action, such as adherence to a stringent wildfire prevention program.

In a decision of first impression in the state and federal appellate courts throughout the country, the Virginia Supreme Court issued an opinion in a case filed by CPM in 2007, Commonwealth v. Commonwealth ex rel. Hunter Laboratories, LLC (Va., Aug. 9, 2018, No. 170995) 2018 WL 3768538, holding that the whistleblower’s award under Virginia’s false claims act must be calculated based on the total amount of the settlement of a qui tam case, not just the portion retained by the state.

Part 6:  Are There Any Downsides to Becoming a Whistleblower? The Whistleblower Facts of Life

“Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric light the most efficient policeman.”

 – Justice Louis Brandeis”

Investors need to be aware of efforts underway to undermine their ability to redress corporate fraud.  The Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) is contemplating a highly controversial change to securities policy which would allow companies to block securities class actions, which are often the only way that defrauded investors can be made whole.

Part 5:  Whistleblower Rewards

In a divided opinion, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeal overturned a lower court order dismissing a $35 million whistleblower suit against Brookdale Senior Living Communities. The suit was filed by a former employee of Brookdale who was tasked with reviewing Medicare claims prior to their submission. The whistleblower alleged that it was Brookdale’s policy to enroll as many residents as possible in home health care services that were billed to Medicare, even when the treatments were not medically necessary. She also alleged that Brookdale submitted claims to Medicare without obtaining the required physician certification of need, or that Brookdale obtained the certifications after the fact.

Part 4: Who Can Be a Qui Tam Plaintiff? And What Is the Basic Process?

Part 3:  Whistleblower Rewards: An Introduction to the False Claims Act

Part 2: Protecting Whistleblowers From Retaliation

Part 1: Am I a Potential Whistleblower?