Texas has a whistleblower statute. It applies only to government workers. In a recent whistleblower decision, the Fourth Court of Appeals here in San Antonio reversed a grant of summary judgment. In the case of Torres v. City of San Antonio, No. 04-15-00664 (Tex.App. San Antonio 12/7/2016), Lt. Torres worked for the City Fire

Many employees find themselves in a real quandary when the employer asks them to commit an illegal or unethical act. Texas law protects a worker who is asked to break a criminal statute. But, some employees become so vexed about their situation that s/he goes to the media. That is what happened in Peine v.

There are a lot of myths out there about employment law. From time to time, I talk about a few of those myths.

At will
“At will” employment means an employee can be fired for anything.” Texas is an at-will state. An employee can indeed be fired for a lot of things, but not for

The City of San Antonio runs the city’s airport.  But, the Airport has its own police department.  Until 2009, the airport police department was separate from the San Antonio Police Department.  Airport Police Officer Russell Martin complained about Sgt. Orlandop Battles’ time entries.  In 2008, Officer Martin, a veteran of some 30 plus years in

In a recent opinion, the Texas Supreme Court clarified one key aspect of whistle blower complaints.  The Texas Whistleblower statute applies to government employees only.  See Tex. Govt.C. Sec. 554.001, et seq.  The statute protects an employee who reports a possible violation of law.  The report or question must be to an "appropriate law

The Federal False Claims Act, also known as qui tam lawsuits, have been around since the Civil War.  In Fact, the False Claims Act was passed to deal with the many fraudulent government purchases during the Civil War.  The Federal government was defrauded many times by contractors during the Civil War.  The act allows a

Its a quote I appreciated from the first time I heard it: "I come in peace. I didn’t bring artillery. But, I am pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you f— with me, I’ll kill you all."  Marine Gen. James M. Mattis said this to several Iraqi tribal leaders in 2003 during

A Bexar County jury has awarded a former police officer $1.28 million.  Tomas Padilla was a police officer for the University Health System.  He was terminated in 2009 shortly after complaining that the officer he had replaced was trying to recruit patients and visitors to the hospital to make false claims about Officer Padilla.  Officer

Whistleblowers have a rough row to hoe.  George Green knows this better than anyone.  A former architect for the Texas Dept. of Health and Human Services, he blew the whistle on shoddy building practices at DHHS some 25 years ago.  DHHS fired him in 1989 for alleged sick leave issues.   In 1991, the jury