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No-Poach Whistleblower

In general, it is illegal for employers to agree not to compete for employees. This means that employers cannot agree not to solicit another employer’s employees. These agreements are called “no-poach” or “no-hire” agreements and they are illegal. In addition, employers cannot agree not pay their employees the same...

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How Do You Win a Whistleblower Retaliation Claim? California Courts Weigh In

State and federal law protect employees who “blow the whistle” on their employers. These protections are intended to encourage people who have information about their employers’ unsafe or fraudulent practices to come forward. But how do you prove whistleblower retaliation? The whistleblower laws protect employees who report illegal employment...

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A Primer on the Federal False Claims Act

The federal False Claims Act (FCA) is one of the most powerful tools in the federal government’s fraud-fighting arsenal. The FCA was passed during the Civil War to “root out fraud against the government.” Since 1863, Congress has updated the law several times to give it more teeth and...

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The IRS Will Pay You to Report Tax Fraud

According to a new bombshell report by the New York Times, a whistleblower has come forward testifying that Credit Suisse, who previously settled claims with the U.S. Government that it helped rich Americans hide money from the IRS and evade taxes, continued to brazenly help these individuals continue to...

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What Makes Me a Whistleblower?

Finding out that your employer is breaking the law is stressful. Will you lose your job if you complain? Will you be iced out of meetings or reassigned? People are rightfully worried about retaliation and fear speaking up. If you are one of the brave people who want to...

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PPP Whistleblowers Are Key to Stopping Fraud

The Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), created as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, is a crucial Covid-19 relief effort. Because the program is vulnerable to fraud whistleblowers are key to ensuring that taxpayers are not defrauded. The PPP gives monetary assistance to...

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Can I Secretly Record My Boss at Work?

At King & Siegel LLP, we have helped hundreds of workers hold employers accountable through legal actions. If you have been discriminated against, retaliated against, denied your rightful wages, or wrongfully terminated, our attorneys are here to help. Call us today at 213-465-4802 to find out how we can help!...

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SEC Announces $1.7 Million In Whistleblower Awards

On February 25, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced two whistleblower awards totaling more than $1.7 million.  Two Awards For More Than $1.7 Million The first of the two new awards for more than $900,000 was issued to a whistleblower who provided significant evidence connected to an ongoing investigation...

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First PPP Fraud Whistleblower Case Settles with the DOJ

Last week, the US Department of Justice announced its first civil settlement of False Claims Act allegations against a PPP borrower. We are likely to see more PPP fraud cases under the new administration, particularly because new funds are being made available to distressed businesses as part of the...

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Systematic Problems and Fraud at COVID Laboratories

Following Sacramento’s CBS13 blockbuster expose on failures at California’s new billion-dollar COVID testing lab and the company running the lab-PerkinElmer, the station has reported on a wild series of events, including systematic failures at the lab and potential destruction of evidence. Inconclusive Tests and Reduced Capacity Despite the fact...