Hear from Our Customers
You’ve witnessed fraud against the government. Maybe it’s Medicare billing schemes, defense contractor overcharges, or securities violations. The question isn’t whether you should report it—it’s how to do it right so you get the protection and compensation you deserve.
Whistleblowers who follow proper procedures can receive 15-30% of whatever the government recovers. We’re talking about awards that often reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. But only if you navigate the complex legal requirements correctly.
That’s where experience matters. One missed deadline or procedural error can eliminate your reward entirely. You need someone who understands both the law and the strategic considerations that maximize your chances of success.
We have been representing whistleblowers and employment clients in New York for over 25 years. John Howley spent two decades as a partner at a major corporate law firm, representing Fortune 500 companies like Pfizer, Texaco, and Citibank—even arguing cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Now he uses that same level of expertise to fight for individuals. We’ve helped clients recover millions in whistleblower awards and employment settlements, including an $80 million class action victory.
Here in the Greenwood Cemetery area, we understand the Brooklyn community’s values of integrity and justice. Whether you’re a healthcare worker who’s discovered Medicare fraud or a financial services employee who’s witnessed securities violations, we provide the same high-caliber representation that major corporations receive.
First, we meet confidentially to evaluate your case. You’ll speak directly with John Howley, not a paralegal or junior associate. We determine whether your information qualifies under federal or state whistleblower programs and assess the potential for financial recovery.
Next, we handle all the complex legal requirements. Whistleblower cases involve strict deadlines, specific procedural requirements, and strategic decisions about which programs to use. We ensure your case is filed correctly and under seal to protect your identity during the government’s investigation.
Finally, we fight for your maximum reward. If the government intervenes in your case, we work alongside federal attorneys to build the strongest possible case. If they decline, we can pursue the matter independently. Either way, you only pay attorney fees if we secure a recovery for you—and often, the defendant is ordered to pay our fees as well.
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Our whistleblower representation covers all major federal and state programs. Under the False Claims Act, we handle Medicare and Medicaid fraud, defense contractor fraud, and other government program violations. Through SEC and CFTC programs, we pursue securities and commodities fraud cases. We also work with IRS whistleblower programs for tax fraud cases.
In New York specifically, whistleblowers benefit from some of the strongest protection laws in the country. New York recently expanded its whistleblower laws and has its own False Claims Act that allows for substantial penalties—up to three times the damages plus $6,000 to $12,000 per violation.
The Brooklyn area, including Greenwood Cemetery and surrounding neighborhoods, is home to major healthcare systems, financial services companies, and government contractors. This creates significant opportunities for whistleblower cases, but also means you need an attorney who understands the local landscape and has relationships with relevant enforcement agencies.
Whistleblower rewards typically range from 15-30% of whatever the government recovers, depending on the program and your level of cooperation. Under the False Claims Act, if the government intervenes in your case, you can receive 15-25% of the recovery. If they decline and you pursue it independently, you can receive 25-30%.
The SEC and CFTC programs also offer 10-30% of penalties collected. Since the SEC program began in 2012, it has paid over $1 billion in awards to whistleblowers. Individual awards often reach hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars.
The exact amount depends on factors like the strength of your information, how much the government recovers, and whether you provide ongoing assistance. We work to maximize your award by ensuring proper procedures are followed and building the strongest possible case.
Federal and New York state laws provide strong protections against whistleblower retaliation. Under the False Claims Act, employers cannot fire, demote, reduce your pay, exclude you from meetings, or take other adverse actions because you reported fraud.
New York recently expanded its whistleblower protection laws, widening the definition of retaliation. The state also has specific protections for healthcare workers who report safety violations or inadequate patient care. These protections apply whether you’re an employee or independent contractor.
If retaliation occurs, you can sue for compensatory damages, reinstatement, back pay, and sometimes punitive damages. The defendant may also be ordered to pay your attorney fees. We file cases under seal initially to protect your identity, and we can often keep you anonymous throughout much of the process.
Deadlines vary significantly depending on which law applies to your case. Under the federal False Claims Act, you generally have six years from when the violation occurred. The New York False Claims Act allows up to ten years for most violations.
However, retaliation claims often have much shorter deadlines—sometimes as little as 90 days from when the retaliation occurred. SEC whistleblower complaints don’t have specific deadlines, but waiting too long can hurt your case if someone else reports the same information first.
The “first to file” rule is crucial—if someone else reports the same fraud before you do, you may lose your right to a reward. That’s why it’s important to act quickly once you discover potential fraud. We can evaluate your case immediately and ensure all deadlines are met.
You don’t need to have all the evidence before contacting us, but you do need to have credible information about potential fraud. The government investigation can uncover additional evidence and witnesses after your case is filed.
What you need is “original source” information—meaning you have knowledge that isn’t already public and that you obtained through your own efforts or position. This could be internal documents, firsthand observations of fraudulent practices, or knowledge of systematic violations.
We’ll help you assess what evidence you have and what additional documentation might be helpful. Sometimes the most important evidence is your insider knowledge of how the fraud works, even if you don’t have access to all the supporting documents. The key is acting before the information becomes public or someone else reports it.
Yes, whistleblower cases are initially filed “under seal,” meaning they’re kept confidential even from the defendant. This seal typically lasts at least 60 days while the government investigates, but it’s often extended for months or even years during the investigation.
During this time, only you, your attorney, and the government know about the case. The defendant has no idea they’re being investigated. This protects you from retaliation and allows investigators to gather evidence without the defendant destroying documents or intimidating witnesses.
In some programs, like the SEC whistleblower program, you can remain completely anonymous throughout the entire process if you work through an attorney. Even after cases become public, your identity is often protected through court procedures and settlement agreements.
We handle all major types of government fraud cases common in the New York area. Healthcare fraud is particularly prevalent, including Medicare and Medicaid billing fraud, kickbacks to doctors, and unnecessary medical procedures. Brooklyn’s major hospital systems and healthcare networks create significant opportunities for these cases.
Financial fraud is also common given New York’s role as a financial center. This includes securities fraud, commodities manipulation, banking fraud, and tax evasion schemes. We work with both the SEC and CFTC on these matters.
Defense contractor fraud, government procurement fraud, and grant fraud are also areas we handle regularly. With numerous government contracts and programs operating in the New York area, there are unfortunately many opportunities for fraud. We also handle cases involving federal programs like PPP loans, unemployment fraud, and other government benefit programs where fraud has become increasingly common.
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