INTRODUCTION TO WHISTLEBLOWING If you are considering blowing the whistle, call Nashville whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles today
A whistleblower is anyone who has and reports insider knowledge of illegal activities occurring in an organization. A whistleblower can be an employee, supplier, contractor, client, or any individual who becomes aware of illegal business activities. If you have knowledge of a person or company attempting to defraud the federal government, and you come forward with this information, you could be receive a whistleblower award for your courage and blowing the whistle by filing a whistleblower lawsuit and do so with the knowledge you have strong whistleblower protections against whistleblower retaliation.
If you are thinking of blowing the whistle, contact Nashville whistleblower attorney and litigation attorney Timothy L. Miles, who has valuable experience and has received numerous awards, mostly due to his high ethical standards, and hard work ethic, including most recently being named an Avvo Rated Top Lawyer 2024 by AVVO, among others. Contact a Nashville whistleblower lawyer today, located conveniently in Brentwood, TN a suburb of Nashville. (855) 846–6529 or [email protected]. Read on to learn the answers to eight often asked questions from employees about blowing the whistle. What is a whistleblower?
A whistleblower is an individual who exposes instances of fraud, misconduct, hazardous working conditions, or other violations of U.S. law to the government, regulators, or the media. Commonly known as an "insider," a whistleblower is typically an employee of a private or public organization, or even the government, who possesses firsthand knowledge of an illegal activity. Whistleblowers can also include individuals who are not employees but possess original information regarding a violation of the law.
The information provided by a whistleblower to authorities is typically new and would not have been discovered otherwise. In some cases, whistleblowers have been involved in illegal activities themselves but later decide to reveal the truth. Whistleblowers may be eligible to receive a reward ranging from 15% to 30% of the penalties recovered from the wrongdoer. The amount awarded to a whistleblower is determined based on the quality and significance of the evidence presented. To qualify for the maximum reward, successful whistleblower claims must include credible, timely, and original information. should i report internally to corporate compliance programs?
Compliance departments typically exist to safeguard the best interests of the company or organization where you are exposing wrongdoing. Informing compliance or utilizing an internal hotline will likely lead to reprisals and efforts to conceal the truth.
It is advisable to refrain from disclosing any information to your supervisor or the company's compliance officer until you have consulted with a lawyer experienced in whistleblower cases. To prevent detection while communicating with your attorney, immediately cease using devices and networks provided by the company. who is eligibler for a whistleblower award?
In order to be eligible for recognition, a whistleblower must willingly furnish the government with reliable, prompt, and unique details that contribute to the success of an enforcement action. The compensation received by a whistleblower is determined by the penalties collected in relation to the action.
Additionally, the information provided must be original. If two individuals provide the government or regulatory agency with the exact same information, the person who disclosed it first would be eligible for a reward, as this is considered "original" information. Both American and foreign citizens are eligible for rewards if the violation being reported by the whistleblower involves U.S. government contracts, securities, commodities, tax evasion, or currency, such as in cases of money laundering or foreign bribery. What should I do if I am facing whistleblower retaliation?
If you find yourself facing retaliation as a whistleblower after reporting your concerns to a supervisor, HR, or compliance official, it is crucial that you promptly seek assistance from a whistleblower attorney. It is not advisable to wait until your company terminates your employment.
The extent of your rights as a whistleblower depends on the nature of the wrongdoing you expose and the manner in which you disclose it. It is in your best interest to disclose the information in accordance with the relevant laws that offer the highest level of protection and potential compensation. Every whistleblower law has a specific timeframe within which complaints must be filed. These deadlines can range from as little as 30 days to several years. Regardless of the specific law you are relying on, it is essential to be aware of the statute of limitations. Should I be an anonymous or confidential whistleblower?
To ensure that your identity remains protected and your rights are upheld, it is advisable to seek the guidance of a whistleblower lawyer before exposing any misconduct. By consulting with an attorney, you can gain insight into the legal safeguards available to you.
Certain whistleblower laws allow individuals to submit claims anonymously, meaning that only your attorney will be aware of your identity and personal details. However, in some cases, anonymity may not be permitted, but strict confidentiality measures are put in place. In such instances, only the courts and defendants will have access to your name and case information. It is important to note that disclosing your information to the media carries the least amount of protection for your identity and legal rights going forward. Sharing your story with the media or law enforcement does not guarantee confidentiality and there is a risk of your identity being exposed. If you have further questions, contact Nashville whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles for a free case evaluation. (855) 846-6529 or [email protected]. Does whistleblowing work?
When executed correctly and with the assistance of a seasoned whistleblower attorney, whistleblowing can be highly effective. The efficacy of whistleblowing is supported by public statements from reputable law enforcement officials, regulators, independent experts, and Congressional leaders.
According to SEC Chairman Jay Clayton (September 2020), "The whistleblower program has played a crucial role in our efforts to uncover wrongdoing over the past decade, particularly in cases where fraud is well-concealed or difficult to detect. As a result of tips provided by whistleblowers, we have ordered financial remedies exceeding $2.5 billion through enforcement actions." Furthermore, it is worth noting that the government and other regulatory agencies have successfully recovered billions of dollars through the utilization of various whistleblower laws. This is indicative of an increasing trend in the number of whistleblower reward claims being filed as these laws continue to be enhanced. What is the False Claims Act?
The Federal Statute known as the False Claims Act, also referred to as 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 – 3733, was introduced in 1863 during the Civil War with the aim of combating fraudulent activities carried out by government contractors. This legislation imposed penalties on individuals who knowingly presented false claims to the government.
In 1986, amendments were made to modernize the law, spearheaded by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and former Representative Howard Berman (D-CA). The False Claims Act has been widely hailed as the most crucial tool for recovering taxpayer funds in cases where individuals make false claims to the government. Can an SEC Whistleblower Report Anonymously?
By engaging the services of an SEC whistleblower lawyer, individuals have the opportunity to report wrongdoing to the SEC while maintaining their anonymity. The attorney will file a disclosure with the SEC on behalf of the whistleblower, ensuring their identity is protected. Even if whistleblowers choose not to remain anonymous, the SEC is obligated to safeguard their confidentiality. The agency does not reveal any personal details about whistleblowers, even when announcing awards.
If You Are Thinking of Blowing the Whistle, Contact Nashville Whistleblower Attorney Timothy L. Miles Today
If you have knowledge of fraud against or by the federal government, contact Nashville whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles who can guide you through the whistleblower process and explain your whistleblower protections. The consultation is free and confidential. Just complete the form below to get started or call (855) Tim-M-Law. Ask a Nashville whistleblower attorney, you could be entitled to a significant whistleblower award.
Please also visit our Resources center which provides a wealth of information on whistleblower lawsuits, among others. Call today and see what a Nashville whistleblower attorney can do for you.
The Law Offices of Timothy L. Miles
Tapestry at Brentwood Town Center 300 Centerview Dr., #247 Brentwood, TN 37027 Phone: (855) 846–6529 Email: [email protected] Nashville whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles Nashville attorney Timothy L. Miles is a nationally recognized shareholder rights attorney raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Miles has dedicated his career to representing shareholders, employees, and consumers in complex class-action litigation. Whether serving as lead, co-lead, or liaison counsel, Mr. Miles has helped recover hundreds of millions of dollars for defrauded investors, shaped precedent-setting decisions, and delivered real corporate governance reforms. Judges and peers have repeatedly recognized Mr. Miles’ relentless advocacy for the underdog, as well as his unbendable ethical standards. Mr. Miles was recently selected by Martindale-Hubbell® and ALM as a 2022 Top Ranked Lawyer, 2022 Top Rated Litigator. and a 2022 Elite Lawyer of the South. Mr. Miles also maintains the AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, their highest rating for both legal ability and ethics. Mr. Miles is a member of the prestigious Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers: The National Trial Lawyers Association,Class Action: Class Action: Top National Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association (2023), a superb rated attorney by Avvo, a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Premier Lawyers of America (2019) and recognized as a Distinguished Lawyer, Recognizing Excellence in Securities Law, by Lawyers of Distinction (2019); a Top Rated Litigator by Martindale-Hubbell® and ALM (2019-2022); America’s Most Honored Lawyers 2020 – Top 1% by America’s Most Honored (2020-2022). Mr. Miles has published over sixty articles on various issues of the law, including class actions, whistleblower cases, products liability, civil procedure, derivative actions, corporate takeover litigation, corporate formation, mass torts, dangerous drugs, and more. Please visit our website or call for free anytime. Comments are closed.
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