Whistleblowing, Sleeping Corrections Officers, And Retaliation

Alberto Limon, a former corrections officer employed by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), photographed fellow officers sleeping on duty, including some supervisors, some even with pillows. After Limon reported these officers to his supervisor, Captain Jose Badilla, a rat trap was placed on Limon’s seat; his name was scratched off his CDCR…

Corrections Administrator Wins $1 Million Whistleblower Action

Meg Yatauro was employed by the New Jersey Department of Corrections (DOC) as a prison administrator and was assigned to the Wagner Youth Correctional Facility. Following a demotion, Yatauro sued DOC under New Jersey’s Conscientious Employee Protection Act, claiming she blew the whistle on certain improprieties. When a jury awarded Yatauro $1,000,000 in damages for…

For Whistleblowing Claim To Exist, Decisionmakers Must Be Aware Of Whistleblowing

Bridgette Bott was a deputy sheriff for Palm Beach County, Florida. On July 11, 2012, the Sheriff’s Office dispatched Bott to investigate an attempted suicide. Dispatch told Bott that a woman “advised her boyfriend took a lot of antidepressants last night and is now swinging the swifter at her because she won’t tell him where…

Administrative Leave Can Trigger Whistleblower Rights

Like many states, Minnesota has a whistleblower statute. In general, the statute prohibits retaliation against an employee who alleges that the employer has violated the law. Sergeant Steven Moore is a 29-year veteran of New Brighton’s police department. In March 2015, the City required all police employees to attend training. Employees attended the training outside…

Whistleblowing Report Potentially Protected By First Amendment

Melvin Kindle worked for the City of Jeffersontown, Kentucky as a police officer; Bradley Silveria and Diedra Adkins were dispatchers for the Police Department. On October 27, 2006, the three tendered a report pursuant to Kentucky’s Whistleblower Act. The report alleged that a lieutenant colonel with the Department (1) violated federal and state wage and…

Asking About Retirement Contributions Does Not Amount To Whistleblowing

Grady Throneberry is a part-time police officer with the City of Audubon Park, Kentucky. At the time of his hiring, the Police Chief explained to Throneberry that additional benefits, including the state “hazardous duty pension plan,” would become available to him if he became a full-time employee. In February 2004, Throneberry accepted a full-time position…