Whistleblower News

The devastating wildfires in Maui have called attention to a crucial gap in current whistleblower law. The fires have claimed at least 115 lives, becoming the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. While the analysis is ongoing, investigators are evaluating the role of downed power lines and decisions by the state’s main power company, Hawaiian Electric. A recent opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal said that after Maui — as well as California’s 2018 Camp Fire, the deadliest … [Read more...]

A recent survey found that employees who witness misconduct are increasingly willing to report it — an admirable posture when it comes to acting ethically and protecting the best interests of the public. Whistleblowers, however, often have many additional questions that go beyond starting the process. To help address these concerns, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:   Can I remain anonymous? Maybe, but it’s often difficult. Different whistleblower laws apply in … [Read more...]

Cybercrime has surged, particularly since the pandemic, targeting the sensitive information of consumers, businesses and governments. The FBI’s 2022 cybercrime report tallied nearly 801,000 complaints, adding up to nearly $10.3 billion in losses. While the number of complaints has held fairly steady since 2020, the breaches have gotten much more lucrative for bad actors: reported losses were $4.2 billion in 2020 and $6.9 billion in 2021.  These figures show why companies that aren’t enacting … [Read more...]

The U.S. Supreme Court soon will take up an appeal that will decide a crucial issue for whistleblowers. The issue to be decided: How carefully will courts guard whistleblowers against retaliation? The justices take up the question during the upcoming term, which starts in October. The case involves Trevor Murray, who started work for UBS Securities in April 2011, the only research strategist for the company’s commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) arm. Federal regulations dictate … [Read more...]

Whistleblower cases are complex, and they often pit laypeople — an everyday worker just trying to do the right thing — against well-heeled, powerful, experienced opponents. Several cases making headlines this year illustrate this scenario: Large railroads, such as Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific and others, face questions about their safety procedures following accidents and hundreds of whistleblower complaints during the past five years. A recently unsealed federal appeals court … [Read more...]