Texas Whistleblower Attorneys

Former DOJ Lawyers Representing Federal Whistleblowers in Texas

Are you thinking about blowing the whistle? Whistleblowers play an important role in the federal government’s efforts to prosecute all forms of fraud, waste, and abuse of federal laws affecting taxpayers, government contracts, and government programs. The government is not capable of uncovering all wrongdoing on its own—and, as a result, it relies on whistleblowers to come forward.

The federal government also incentivizes whistleblowers to come forward. Thanks to the Whistleblower Protection Act, whistleblowers are entitled to confidentiality (and complete anonymity in some cases). These laws also protect whistleblowers against whistleblower retaliation by their employers. In some circumstances, federal whistleblowers are also entitled to financial compensation. If you are thinking about coming forward, a Texas whistleblower lawyer at Oberheiden P.C. can explain everything you need to know and help you make informed decisions about your next steps.

Experienced Legal Representation for All Federal Whistleblowers in Texas

Within our federal whistleblower practice, we represent individuals who need to report all forms of wrongdoing to all pertinent federal agencies. From the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), several federal agencies administer whistleblower programs, and determining which agency you need to contact is one of the first steps toward serving as a federal whistleblower. Our whistleblower lawyers can guide you through the process of determining your next steps; and, if you decide to move forward, we can communicate with the appropriate federal agency on your behalf.

We handle cases under the whistleblower law, including (but not limited to) those involving complaints filed with:

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
• Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) 
• Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) 
• Department of Defense (DOD)
• Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
• Department of Justice (DOJ)
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
• National Security Agency (NSA)
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Each of these federal agencies handles different types of whistleblower claims and complaints. When you speak with a Texas whistleblower lawyer at Oberheiden P.C., your lawyer will thoroughly assess the information you have in your possession to determine the steps you will need to take in order to move forward with your whistleblower claim—should you choose to do so. We have extensive experience advising individuals on whistleblower laws who are considering blowing the whistle on all forms of wrongdoing, including (but not limited to):

• Commodities and securities fraud 
• Consumer fraud and investor fraud
• Dodd-Frank Act violations
• Federal False Claims Act (FCA) violations
• Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) violations
• Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations
• Government contract fraud (including defense contractor fraud)
• Healthcare fraud (including Medicare and Medicaid fraud)
• Pharmaceutical drug fraud 
• Tax evasion and tax fraud 

In addition to handling different types of whistleblower complaints, each of the federal agencies listed above also has its own complaint handling and investigative procedures. As a result, working with an experienced Texas whistleblower lawyer is extremely important. At Oberheiden P.C., we have the experience needed to provide effective representation for all federal whistleblower lawsuits, and we can use our experience to help you move forward confidently.

5 Important Facts for Current and Former Employees Who Are Thinking About Blowing the Whistle in Texas

As a prospective federal whistleblower, it is important to ensure that you are making informed decisions. There is a lot you need to know, and you need to avoid relying on misconceptions or assumptions that may lead you in the wrong direction. With this in mind, here are five key facts to keep in mind as you contemplate your next steps:

1. Whistleblowers Are Entitled to Confidentiality (and Complete Anonymity in Some Cases)

All federal whistleblowers are entitled to confidentiality. When we file your federal whistleblower complaint, we will either file it directly with the investigating agency or file it “under seal” in federal court. From this point forward, there are only very limited circumstances in which your identity may be made public.

In some cases, federal whistleblowers can file anonymously if they choose to do so. For example, the SEC accepts anonymous whistleblower complaints in appropriate cases. If you have the option of remaining anonymous (and choose to do so), your identity will only be known to Oberheiden P.C.

2. Whistleblowers Are Entitled to Protection Against Retaliation

When you serve as a federal whistleblower, you are entitled to protection against retaliation. Your employer will be prohibited by federal law from taking adverse employment action against you based on your decision to blow the whistle. More than likely, your employer will never identify you as the whistleblower. But, if it does, you will be protected against termination, demotion, reassignment, and other adverse employment actions in response to your decision to come forward.

3. There Are Steps You Need to Take (and May Need to Take Quickly) to Establish Your Status as a Federal Whistleblower

There are several steps you need to take in order to secure protection as a federal whistleblower—and you may need to take these steps quickly in order to establish your whistleblower status. The specific steps you need to take depend on the agency (or court) with which you need to file your whistleblower complaint. Our Texas whistleblower lawyers have experience handling all types of federal whistleblower complaints. We can help you secure the protections to which you are entitled as a whistleblower, and we can take action on your behalf immediately if necessary.

4. You Can Hire a Texas Whistleblower Lawyer at No Out-of-Pocket Cost

You can hire a Texas whistleblower lawyer at Oberheiden P.C. to represent you at no out-of-pocket cost. Your initial consultation is free (and completely confidential), and you can remain in contact with your experienced whistleblower attorney at no cost as you weigh whether to move forward with filing a federal whistleblower complaint. If you decide to move forward, we will not bill you for any fees or costs during our representation, and our fees (if any) will be paid by the government if you receive a whistleblower award.

5. Coming Forward with Information About Fraud or Other Wrongdoing is the Right Thing to Do

While many people struggle with deciding whether to serve as a federal whistleblower, coming forward with information about fraud or other wrongdoing is always the right thing to do. Fraud under government contracts and programs costs U.S. taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars per year, and this just represents a small portion of the wrongs that whistleblowers can help expose.

When you choose to work with Oberheiden P.C., you retain full control over your decision of whether to come forward. While we will give you advice and share our insights, we will not pressure you to file a complaint. If you decide that filing a complaint is the right thing to do, only then will we begin the process of communicating with the federal government on your behalf.

Put our highly experienced team on your side

Dr. Nick Oberheiden

Founder

Attorney-at-Law

Lynette S. Byrd

Former DOJ Trial Attorney

Partner

Brian J. Kuester

Former U.S. Attorney

Hon. Kevin McCarthy

55th Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives (ret.)

Government Consultant

Mike Pompeo

Of Counsel

Former U.S. Secretary of State

John W. Sellers

Former Senior DOJ Trial Attorney

Linda Julin McNamara

Federal Appeals Attorney

Nicholas B. Johnson

Former Prosecutor

Roger Bach

Former Special Agent (DOJ)

Chris J. Quick

Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)

Michael S. Koslow

Former Supervisory Special Agent (DOD-OIG)

Ray Yuen

Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)

FAQs: Working with a Texas Whistleblower Lawyer at Oberheiden P.C.