Courtesy of Flickr user Lee CannonFort Worth Star-Telegram (TX): Whistleblower Catches Dallas, Other Cities in Questionable Ambulance Billing
Summary: A Dallas fraud investigator filed whistleblower lawsuits against the city (and 11 others) after finding that each was bilking Medicaid and Medicare regarding ambulance calls. His lawsuits led to federal and state investigations, and were eventually settled for a combined total of more than $4 million.
Kansas City Star: Union Pacific Is Ordered to Pay More Than $615,000 in Whistleblower Case
Summary: Three Union Pacific Railroad workers in Kansas City have won more than $615,000 in their whistleblower suit. The court found that the company wrongfully fired two of the workers and suspended the other after they reported workplace safety concerns, including missing roadway signs, rough spots on the track, and a supervisor violating safety rules on a field test.
Courier-Journal (KY): Chief Engineer Has Business Ties with MSD Contractor
Summary: The chief engineer of Kentucky’s Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) has business ties with the consulting firm that has been the recipient of six-figure contracts from the agency. This is just another in a string of recent questionable activities from MSD, including settling a whistleblower lawsuit that alleged fraud and mismanagement in the agency.
Times-Picayune (LA): Fired Attorney Anne Marie Vandenweghe Sues Jefferson Parish
Summary: A lawyer who formerly handled public records requests for a Louisiana parish has filed a complaint saying she was retaliated against for being a government whistleblower.
Des Moines Register: Register Investigation - Egg Farms Rack Up Violations
Summary: An investigation by the Des Moines Register found that food safety concerns continue at Iowa's egg production facilities one year after 1900 people were sickened in a Salmonella outbreak. The FDA has also kept certain data regarding unsanitary conditions secret.
Key Quote: Meanwhile, critical elements in the Food and Drug Administration’s inspection reports — such as the size of rodent infestations, the brand names under which the eggs are sold, and even the names of diseases documented at the egg farms — are blacked out and being withheld from the public.
Naples Daily News: Whistleblower Suit Says Marazzi Nissan Workers Submitted False Warranty Claims
Summary: A former employee of a Florida Nissan dealership has filed a whistleblower lawsuit, claiming he was fired after reporting “fraudulent activity” by co-workers, including filing false warranty claims.
Coshocton Tribune (OH): Obama Moves More Deeply into Bush-Cheney Dark Side
Summary: This op-ed argues that President Obama’s assurances to institute “the most transparent administration” have fallen by the wayside. The piece references the American citizens who are suing Donald Rumsfeld for torture. One of the two cases allowed to move this far forward against Rumsfeld, GAP filed an amicus curiae in this case, and is co-counsel the another.
Key Quote: With insufficient attention from our media, on Aug. 8, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in what Josh Gerstein of Politico calls "the highest-level court success (yet) for lawyers seeking to use the courts to impose accountability for what critics view as national security excesses under President George W. Bush." This particular "excess" was torture. ("Court allows torture suit against Rumsfeld," Politico, Aug. 8.)
I rushed on March 24, 2010, to explore and report on the first historic ruling on this case, "Donald Vance and Nathan Ertel v. Donald Rumsfeld, United States of America and Unidentified Agents" in a lower federal court.
At the time, it was the first continuance of a torture case against a senior Bush official. He is being defended by the Obama Justice Department! Of course.
Hartford Courant (CT): More State Bungling
Summary: After a whistleblower alerted state auditors, a Connecticut engineer was fired for taking money for time he did not work. However, the engineer had complained multiple times to his supervisors about his lack of work. He was reinstated after he appealed the decision.
Hannah Johnson is the Communications Fellow for the Government Accountability Project, the nation's leading whistleblower protection and advocacy organization.
