Working for Justice Blog

Blog

Fraud in Startup Wonderland

Author(s): Ting Cheung and John McKnight | February 25, 2025 | Whistleblower Law

In Brief The Forbes 30 Under 30 list celebrates young entrepreneurs, but some honorees have faced serious legal consequences for fraud. From misrepresenting financials to defrauding investors, these cases highlight the risks of a “grow at all costs” culture in startups. Federal regulators—including the DOJ, SEC, HHS, and FBI—intervene when fraud affects investors, customers, or[…]

In Brief The Forbes 30 Under 30 list celebrates young entrepreneurs, but some honorees have faced serious legal consequences for fraud. From misrepresenting financials to defrauding investors, these cases highlight the risks of a “grow at all costs” culture in startups. Federal regulators—including the DOJ, SEC, HHS, and FBI—intervene when fraud affects investors, customers, or […]

Challenging the Feres Doctrine: Sexual Assault in the Military

Author(s): Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, LLP | February 25, 2025 | Sexual Violence, Title IX, and Victims’ Rights

In Brief The Feres Doctrine has long shielded the federal government from lawsuits by military personnel for service-related injuries — a barrier that has proven especially harmful for survivors of sexual assault. As awareness of military sexual misconduct grows, legislative and litigation efforts to reform or eliminate this doctrine are intensifying, raising fundamental questions about[…]

In Brief The Feres Doctrine has long shielded the federal government from lawsuits by military personnel for service-related injuries — a barrier that has proven especially harmful for survivors of sexual assault. As awareness of military sexual misconduct grows, legislative and litigation efforts to reform or eliminate this doctrine are intensifying, raising fundamental questions about […]

Steps to Take When Presented with a Severance Agreement

Author(s): Emma Petite and Qiaojing Ella Zheng | January 23, 2025 | Employment Law

When your employer presents you with a severance agreement, it is understandable to feel overwhelmed by the agreement itself and the “legalese” within; by your termination and the prospects of finding new employment; and by the circumstances that led to this agreement. (See related blog, "I Was Laid Off. Now What?" here.) At Sanford Heisler[…]

When your employer presents you with a severance agreement, it is understandable to feel overwhelmed by the agreement itself and the “legalese” within; by your termination and the prospects of finding new employment; and by the circumstances that led to this agreement. (See related blog, “I Was Laid Off. Now What?” here.) At , we […]

Renege, Conceal, Evade: Takeaways from Report on USCGA Cover-up of Operation Fouled Anchor

In Brief An internal investigation into the U.S. Coast Guard's "Operation Fouled Anchor" revealed a damning pattern of institutional failure: commitments to accountability were broken, critical information was withheld from survivors, and responses prioritized reputation over justice. The report underscores that meaningful reform requires not just policy changes but deep cultural transformation — and that[…]

In Brief An internal investigation into the U.S. Coast Guard’s “Operation Fouled Anchor” revealed a damning pattern of institutional failure: commitments to accountability were broken, critical information was withheld from survivors, and responses prioritized reputation over justice. The report underscores that meaningful reform requires not just policy changes but deep cultural transformation — and that […]

America Needs More Tech Whistleblowers: Protecting Our Digital Future

Author(s): Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, LLP | January 13, 2025 | Whistleblower Law

In Brief As fraud becomes increasingly embedded in opaque digital systems — from algorithmic manipulation to falsified metrics — tech insiders are uniquely positioned to expose misconduct that regulators cannot detect from the outside. Despite their critical role, tech whistleblowers face significant barriers including fear of retaliation and unclear legal protections. This analysis makes the[…]

In Brief As fraud becomes increasingly embedded in opaque digital systems — from algorithmic manipulation to falsified metrics — tech insiders are uniquely positioned to expose misconduct that regulators cannot detect from the outside. Despite their critical role, tech whistleblowers face significant barriers including fear of retaliation and unclear legal protections. This analysis makes the […]

Why Doesn’t the Government Bet Bigger on Fraud? Part VI: The Conclusion

In Brief The concluding installment of this series argues that the federal government consistently underinvests in anti-fraud enforcement despite strong evidence that such investment generates substantial financial returns. Whistleblower programs in particular have proven highly effective, yet remain constrained by institutional inertia, limited staffing, and overly restrictive eligibility interpretations. The series calls for a strategic[…]

In Brief The concluding installment of this series argues that the federal government consistently underinvests in anti-fraud enforcement despite strong evidence that such investment generates substantial financial returns. Whistleblower programs in particular have proven highly effective, yet remain constrained by institutional inertia, limited staffing, and overly restrictive eligibility interpretations. The series calls for a strategic […]

Why Doesn’t the Government Bet Bigger on Fraud? Part V: The Anti-Money Laundering Whistleblower Program

In Brief The Anti-Money Laundering (AML) whistleblower program has strong statutory foundations but has been hampered by regulatory delays, unclear award eligibility, and limited public awareness. Given that money laundering involves complex cross-border financial networks that are nearly impossible to detect without insider knowledge, a well-functioning AML program could significantly enhance enforcement — but only[…]

In Brief The Anti-Money Laundering (AML) whistleblower program has strong statutory foundations but has been hampered by regulatory delays, unclear award eligibility, and limited public awareness. Given that money laundering involves complex cross-border financial networks that are nearly impossible to detect without insider knowledge, a well-functioning AML program could significantly enhance enforcement — but only […]

Understanding NYC’s Gender-Motivated Violence Act and the Expiring Window for Survivors to Bring Civil Claims

In Brief New York City's Gender-Motivated Violence Act gives survivors of gender-based violence a civil cause of action for damages — including against perpetrators who were never criminally charged. A critical lookback window temporarily allows claims that would otherwise be time-barred, but missing the filing deadline could permanently foreclose these legal options. Survivors must act[…]

In Brief New York City’s Gender-Motivated Violence Act gives survivors of gender-based violence a civil cause of action for damages — including against perpetrators who were never criminally charged. A critical lookback window temporarily allows claims that would otherwise be time-barred, but missing the filing deadline could permanently foreclose these legal options. Survivors must act […]

Why Doesn’t the Government Bet Bigger on Fraud? Part IV: The IRS

In Brief The IRS whistleblower program has a proven track record of delivering substantial tax fraud recoveries, but chronic inefficiency — including multi-year processing delays and prolonged award uncertainty — discourages participation and limits its impact. As tax fraud schemes grow more sophisticated through offshore accounts and shell companies, modernizing the program is essential to[…]

In Brief The IRS whistleblower program has a proven track record of delivering substantial tax fraud recoveries, but chronic inefficiency — including multi-year processing delays and prolonged award uncertainty — discourages participation and limits its impact. As tax fraud schemes grow more sophisticated through offshore accounts and shell companies, modernizing the program is essential to […]

Amicus Briefs and Civil Rights: Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality Through Legal Advocacy

Author(s): Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, LLP | November 12, 2024 | LGBTQ+

For over 60 years, the U.S. Supreme Court has been a battleground for LGBTQ+ rights, shaping constitutional law and impacting the lives of millions of individuals nationwide. In One, Inc. v. Olesen (1958), the Court tackled obscenity laws against gay publications and, in a one-line order, indicated that speech addressing gay subjects and concerns was not inherently[…]

For over 60 years, the U.S. Supreme Court has been a battleground for LGBTQ+ rights, shaping constitutional law and impacting the lives of millions of individuals nationwide. In One, Inc. v. Olesen (1958), the Court tackled obscenity laws against gay publications and, in a one-line order, indicated that speech addressing gay subjects and concerns was not inherently […]

Categories

Navigating the Mutual Fund Maze, Part 1: What Is a Mutual Fund?

In Brief Mutual funds pool money from multiple investors to invest in diversified portfolios of stocks, bonds, or other assets. While they are widely used in retirement accounts and personal investing, many individuals do not fully understand how they operate, what risks they carry, or how fees and management decisions affect performance.   For many investors,

Read Blog Series