The Daniel J. Ocasio Whistleblower Law Group exists to assist individuals in reporting fraudulent activity. Our team of whistleblower experts, lawyers, and former whistleblowers work to give brave individuals the monetary rewards they deserve and hold organizations accountable for unjust actions.
We know that becoming a whistleblower is a significant undertaking and can be an arduous experience — our team is here to offer expertise and knowledge to guide you through the process. That’s why we created the Guide to SEC Whistleblowing: How to Obtain a Reward and What to Expect. This resource answers questions regarding:
- The SEC Whistleblower Program
- Fraudulent acts that give rise to an SEC whistleblower claim
- What to expect during the whistleblower process
- How to qualify for a reward and the amount of that reward
- SEC whistleblower protections
- How to get started
Misleading Investors Leads to Serious Consequences: How Former Executives Can Still Be Held Accountable
Executives who spearhead fraud, or willingly let it happen around them, should bear most of the responsibilities for their companies’ wrong-doings. There’s a false misconception that once an executive is no longer with a company, they can be exonerated from wrong-doings that took place during that time.
Former executives can — and should — still be held accountable for their actions. In two very recent cases, that’s exactly what happened.
Tips for Mitigating FCPA Risks After a Record Year of Corporate Fines & Penalties
The year 2020 saw a record level of $2.78 billion in penalties and fines for FCPA violations. Additionally, there were billions of dollars recovered by the DOJ and SEC in cooperation with other countries for similar violations.
Coming off this record year of FCPA corporate fines and penalties, companies (especially those doing business with high-risk countries such as China, India, and Brazil) need to take steps to mitigate risk in this area.
Are Whistleblowers Protected?
It’s important for potential whistleblowers to know that discrimination and retaliation by employers against employees reporting fraud is forbidden. There are different laws and acts within different sectors that allow whistleblowers to remain anonymous and protected against retaliation. They include:
- False Claims Act (FCA)
- Whistleblower Protection Under the False Claims Act
- Securities & Exchange Commissions (SEC)
- Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)
Interested in knowing more about what protections exist for whistleblowers? We have information and tips from experts to answer the question “are whistleblowers protected?” here:
An Inside Look: The Apria Healthcare Settlement
In late 2020, acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss announced a $40.5 million settlement case against Apria Healthcare for multiple counts of fraudulent billing. Wrongdoings included violations of the NIV Continued Use Conduct, PAC Mode Conduct, and Co-pay Waiver conduct.
Daniel Ocasio, managing partner, and Christopher Piacentile, Director of Investigations, played important roles in bringing this injustice to light and holding Apria Healthcare accountable.
