Whistleblower Lawyer in Downtown Brooklyn, NY
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Brooklyn Qui Tam Attorney Results
When you report fraud or illegal activity, you shouldn’t have to choose between doing what’s right and protecting your livelihood. Federal and New York state laws now provide stronger protections than ever before—including financial rewards that often reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.
The government recovered $2.9 billion from fraud cases in 2024 alone, paying over $400 million in rewards to whistleblowers who came forward. But these protections only work when you follow the right process with experienced legal guidance.
You get more than legal representation. You get a shield against retaliation, a clear path through complex procedures, and the peace of mind that comes from having someone who understands both the law and what you’re facing personally.
Downtown Brooklyn Whistleblower Law Firm
We bring a unique perspective to whistleblower cases in Downtown Brooklyn. For 20 years, founding attorney John Howley represented major corporations like Pfizer, Citibank, and Texaco as a partner at one of the country’s largest corporate law firms—including arguing cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Now he uses that insider knowledge to level the playing field for individuals who witness wrongdoing. When you’re up against powerful employers or organizations, you need someone who understands how they think, how they operate, and how to beat them at their own game.
Brooklyn’s position as part of New York’s financial center means fraud cases here often involve significant sums and sophisticated schemes. We have handled everything from healthcare fraud to securities violations, including an $80 million victory for middle managers in a race discrimination class action, always with the same commitment: protecting your rights while pursuing the maximum reward you deserve.
Brooklyn Whistleblower Process Guide
Every whistleblower case starts with a confidential consultation where we evaluate your situation and evidence. You’ll speak directly with John Howley to discuss what you’ve witnessed and determine whether you have a viable claim under federal or New York state whistleblower laws.
If we move forward, we handle all the complex procedural requirements—from filing under seal to working with government investigators. Your identity stays protected during the investigation phase, and we ensure every deadline is met and every form is properly completed.
Throughout the process, we’re also watching for any signs of retaliation from your employer. New York’s strengthened whistleblower laws now provide expanded protections and longer timeframes to file retaliation claims—the statute of limitations has been extended from one year to two years. If retaliation occurs, we’re ready to pursue additional compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and other damages.
The entire process typically works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we secure a reward or settlement for you.
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Brooklyn False Claims Act Cases
Whistleblower cases in Downtown Brooklyn often fall under several different programs, each with its own procedures and reward structures. The False Claims Act covers fraud against government programs—healthcare fraud, defense contracting fraud, and tax fraud. Successful whistleblowers can receive 15-30% of whatever the government recovers.
SEC and CFTC programs focus on securities and commodities fraud, offering rewards of 10-30% of sanctions over $1 million. These cases are particularly relevant in Brooklyn given the area’s proximity to Wall Street and the financial district.
New York’s state False Claims Act provides additional protections and covers tax fraud cases where the defendant’s income exceeds $1 million and damages exceed $350,000. In New York, a false claims whistleblower may receive an award of 15 to 25 percent of the collections in cases where the state intervenes and 25 to 30 percent in cases where there is no state intervention.
Brooklyn’s diverse economy—from healthcare systems to financial services to government contractors—creates opportunities for fraud across multiple sectors. Our experience spans all these areas, ensuring we can identify the strongest legal theories and pursue the maximum recovery available under all applicable laws.
What types of fraud can I report as a whistleblower in Brooklyn?
You can report a wide range of fraudulent activities under various whistleblower programs. Healthcare fraud includes false billing to Medicare or Medicaid, kickback schemes, or unnecessary procedures. Financial fraud covers securities violations, market manipulation, or investment advisor misconduct. Government contracting fraud involves false claims for payment, defective products, or inflated pricing.
Tax fraud includes underreporting income, hiding assets, or fraudulent deductions. Environmental violations, workplace safety violations, and consumer fraud may also qualify for protection under New York’s expanded whistleblower law, which covers not only illegal actions but also public health threats, fraud, and environmental violations.
The key is whether the fraud involves government money, public safety, or violates federal securities laws. Even if you’re not sure whether what you witnessed qualifies, a confidential consultation can help determine your options.
How much money can I receive as a whistleblower reward?
Whistleblower rewards vary based on the program and the government’s recovery. Under the False Claims Act, you can receive 15-25% if the government intervenes in your case, or 25-30% if you pursue the case without government intervention. SEC and CFTC programs offer 10-30% of sanctions exceeding $1 million.
In recent years, there have been 693 new false claims act cases filed annually since 2010, with average recoveries of $4.8 million and whistleblower rewards of $837,000. The largest healthcare fraud settlements in history—including the $3 billion GlaxoSmithKline case and $2.3 billion Pfizer case—resulted from whistleblower reports.
Your potential reward depends on factors like the strength of your evidence, the government’s total recovery, and your role in exposing the fraud. We work to maximize your reward under all applicable programs.
What protection do I have against retaliation in New York?
New York recently strengthened its whistleblower protection laws, giving you some of the strongest protections in the country. The statute of limitations for retaliation claims has been extended from one year to two years, and the definition of retaliation has been expanded significantly.
Retaliation now includes not just termination, but also demotion, harassment, exclusion from meetings, threats against your immigration status, or any action that would adversely impact your current or future employment. You’re protected whether you’re an employee, contractor, or former employee.
If retaliation occurs, you can seek reinstatement, back pay, front pay, emotional distress damages, and civil penalties up to $10,000. In cases of willful violations, punitive damages may also be available. The law also provides for attorney’s fees, so retaliation cases can often be pursued even when the financial harm seems limited.
Do I need to report internally before filing a whistleblower claim?
The internal reporting requirement varies depending on which law applies to your situation. Under New York law, exceptions to the reporting requirement exist under several different circumstances. You generally must report to your supervisor first and give the employer a reasonable opportunity to correct the problem before going to outside authorities.
However, there are important exceptions. You don’t need to report internally if doing so would create immediate danger to public health or safety, if you reasonably believe reporting would lead to the destruction of evidence, or if you believe internal reporting would be futile.
Federal programs like the SEC and CFTC whistleblower programs don’t require internal reporting, and in some cases, reporting internally first can actually reduce your potential reward. This is why it’s crucial to consult with an experienced attorney before taking any action—the sequence of your reports can significantly impact both your protections and your potential rewards.
How long do I have to file a whistleblower claim?
Deadlines vary significantly depending on which whistleblower program applies to your case. The False Claims Act generally has a six-year statute of limitations, but this can be extended in cases where the government didn’t know about the violation. New York’s False Claims Act has a ten-year limitation period for tax fraud cases.
SEC whistleblower claims must be filed within five years of the violation, while retaliation claims under Sarbanes-Oxley have just 180 days. New York’s strengthened whistleblower law now gives you two years to file retaliation claims, double the previous limitation period.
The “first to file” rule under the False Claims Act means that if someone else reports the same fraud first, you may lose your right to a reward entirely. This makes timing critical—waiting too long can cost you hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars in potential rewards.
Can I remain anonymous when filing a whistleblower claim?
Your ability to remain anonymous depends on the specific whistleblower program and the stage of the process. Under the False Claims Act, your case is filed “under seal,” meaning it remains confidential while the government investigates—often for several years. Your employer won’t know about the case during this investigation period.
SEC and CFTC programs allow you to file anonymously through an attorney, and your identity may never be revealed if the case can be proven without your testimony. In many cases, whistleblowers can remain anonymous during the investigation phase, particularly in IRS cases. We will work to protect your identity to the fullest extent possible.
Even when your identity is revealed, strong anti-retaliation laws protect you from adverse employment actions. In many cases, the financial rewards and legal protections more than compensate for any career disruption. We work to protect your identity as long as possible while building the strongest case for maximum recovery.
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