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
Whistle blower
Bexar County Jury Awards $1.28 Million
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…
Employer Cannot Require a Worker to Commit an Illegal Act
There is no statute in Texas protecting workers from being forced to commit illegal acts. So, prior to 1985, if your employer told you to rob the local bank and you refused, you could have been fired. But, now there is judge-made law in the form of Sabine Pilot v. Hauck, 687 S.W.2d 733…
Whistle Blower Runs into Many Problems
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…
Fifth Circuit Overturns Summary Judgment
The Fifth Circuit overturned summary judgment for the employer in Schroeder v. Greater New Orleans Federal Credit Union, No. 10-31169 (5th Cir. 12/19/11). The employee was fired after she complained about violations of law and regulation at a credit union. Mary Schroeder filed suit based on 12 U.S.C. §1790b and La.Rev.Stat.Ann. § 23:967(A). Sec. 1790…
Whistle Blower Settles Claim with Corps of Engineers
Bunnatine "Bunny" Greenhouse has settled her lawsuit against the US Army Corps of Engineers. Bunny Greenhouse blew the whistle on contract violations by KBR for a no-bid contract. The company was essentially allowed to prepare its own cost projections as a basis for securing a no-bid, no-compete two year contract for work in Iraq. Ms.
San Antonio Whistle Blower Settles Claim
A San Antonio whistle blower has settled her claim against JP Morgan Chase Bank. Linda Almonte, who had been a Team Leader in the local office reported wrongdoing to higher-ups and was subsequently fired. See San Antonio Express News report. She was fired Nov. 30, 2009 after she made her report. A year later, she…
Employee Fired for His Honesty Loses Appeal
The employee of an Illinois law firm was fired when he refused to cooperate in issuing fraudulent bills to clients. The law firm claimed the hours performed by an in-hpuse employee were actually performed by an outside investigator. The firm then billed at the higher rates used by outside investigators. One of the in-house investigators…
San Antonio Jury Awards SAWS Employee $275,000
A former SAWS employee was awarded $275,000 in state district court here in Bexar County. See San Antonio Express News report. Kevin Martin claimed he was fired because he reported that employees were improperly exposed to asbestos pipes. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality investigated and found violations. Sounds like a whistle blower lawsuit. …
Whitleblower Files Suit Against San Antonio Constable
A former clerk in Bexar County Precinct 2 has filed suit against Constable Val Flores saying he was wrongfully terminated after blowing the whistle regarding violations of law. See San Antonio Express News report. Michael DeMarquis worked in the Constable’s office’s from August to December, 2009. The former clerk claims co-workers broke into his SUV…