West Virginia Whistleblower Defense Attorneys Provide Robust Counsel

Charleston lawyers protect businesses from allegations of wrongdoing

When someone within your organization alleges that your company is committing fraud or willfully refusing to comply with government regulations, you need to effectively address the issues that have been raised. At Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown & Poe, we help our business clients defend themselves against whistleblowers’ claims of fraud, safety violations and workplace misconduct. For more than 30 years, our Charleston, West Virginia law firm has provided trustworthy counsel. We offer strident defense representation to protect your rights as we work to mitigate any threat to your company and its officers and directors.

U.S. laws that provide whistleblower rewards

Congress has passed a variety of laws that allow individuals with information about legal and regulatory violations to report them under protection from retaliation. A whistleblower also can participate in a qui tam lawsuit and share anywhere from 10 to 30 percent of the government’s recovery as a reward. Notable laws empowering whistleblowers include:

• The False Claims Act — Called the Lincoln Law, this statute allows citizens to sue alleging fraud against the U.S. government. Many states have enacted their own versions of the FCA.
• Dodd-Frank Act — This created the Securities and Exchange Commission Whistleblower Reward Program, providing compensation for revealing violations of securities law. Dodd-Frank also established the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Whistleblower Reward Program, for cases involving fraud in commodities trading.
• Internal Revenue Service Whistleblower Reward Program — This compensates whistleblowers reporting tax fraud.
• Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act — This rewards whistleblowers for reporting vehicle safety problems.
• Bank Secrecy Act — This established the Anti-Money Laundering & Sanctions Whistleblower Program for reporting unlawful activity in the banking industry.

The U.S. Department of Justice acknowledges that enforcement of myriad government regulations would be impossible if it were not for whistleblowers. But the availability of rewards can create conflicts of interest. Employees who uncover activity that looks suspicious must consider whether it’s better for them to inform management or simply to collect evidence the government can use against the company in an enforcement action. We are familiar with navigating the complex employment issues surrounding whistleblower claims and we build strong defenses in cases where a business is accused of illegal behavior by an employee.

Companies must take whistleblower allegations seriously

When the U.S. Department of Justice agrees to bring a qui tam whistleblower case, it usually means their attorneys believe the evidence will support a recovery of at least a $1 million. The stakes are high for your company, and missteps can be costly. Fortunately, our business law firm has extensive experience handling investigations against corporate clients. We are committed to protecting the reputation of your company and its officers as we work tirelessly to minimize the legal and financial consequences of a whistleblower action.

These cases involve complex issues, and missteps on your part can trigger additional charges, such as obstruction. With our guidance, you can avoid unnecessary escalations. Moreover, our early involvement in cases such as these can often enable us to reach settlements without charges being filed. When dealing with overzealous prosecutions, we can capably assert your rights and provide a strong defense.

Contact Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown & Poe for effective whistleblower defense

Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown & Poe in Charleston, West Virginia defends corporate clients against a variety of allegations by whistleblowers. Call us at 304-344-0100 or contact us online to learn more.