New York City Whistleblower Protection Lawyer

Supporting Employees Who Expose Fraud, Retaliation, and Public Harm in New York City

Speaking out against fraud, misconduct, or dangerous conditions is an act of courage—especially when the risk of retaliation is high. In New York City, whistleblowers play a vital role in exposing threats to public safety, taxpayer funds, and government integrity. Whether the misconduct involves a false record, misuse of government funds, or systemic corruption, employees deserve strong legal protection when reporting unethical or illegal conduct.

Greenberg Gross LLP is committed to defending whistleblowers. The firm helps individuals who face retaliation after coming forward, guiding them through whistleblower claims and ensuring their rights under local, state, and federal whistleblower law are fully upheld.

Whistleblower Protections in New York City

Whistleblowers in New York City are protected under a variety of legal statutes that include the federal False Claims Act, the New York False Claims Act, and various specific New York laws and precedent. These laws protect employees from retaliation when they report fraud, corruption, or other unlawful acts within government agencies or private organizations doing business with public entities. New York’s whistleblower protection laws cover both public and private employees who report violations affecting public safety, health, financial misconduct, or other substantial and specific risks to the public. The law applies when the misconduct is reported internally or to external bodies such as the city comptroller, city council member, mayor, or public advocate.

Types of Misconduct Covered by Whistleblower Laws

Whistleblower protections apply to a wide range of misconduct and violations, including:

• Fraud against the government or public agencies
  
• False claims submitted to state or federal programs
  
• Criminal activity involving misuse of public funds
  
• Unsafe working conditions or threats to public health
  
• Corruption involving public officials or contractors
  
• Waste or abuse in city departments or public education systems
  
• Retaliation following internal or external reporting
  

Employees who report such conduct are protected even if the claims are later proven to be unfounded, as long as the whistleblower had a reasonable belief that the activity posed a substantial and specific risk.

The Role of the False Claims Act and Qui Tam Actions

The federal False Claims Act and the New York False Claims Act empower whistleblowers to file lawsuits on behalf of the government when false claims for payment are submitted to public agencies. Known as qui tam actions, these claims allow private citizens to hold parties accountable while enabling the state or federal government to intervene if appropriate.

Under the law, if the state intervenes and the action results in financial recovery, the whistleblower may be entitled to a percentage of the recovered funds. These cases are typically filed under seal while an investigation is conducted, and they often involve sensitive information related to billing fraud, contract manipulation, or false reporting.

Protections Against Retaliation

Retaliation for whistleblowing can include termination, demotion, harassment, salary reduction, or other forms of punishment. Whistleblowers are legally protected from these actions. If retaliation occurs, employees may be entitled to back pay, reinstatement, compensation for emotional harm, and recovery of attorneys’ fees.

Retaliation protections apply regardless of whether the reported issue involved city, state, or federal agencies. The key factor is whether the report was made in good faith and whether the misconduct posed a risk to public interest. 

Who Is Covered by Whistleblower Protections

Whistleblower protections in New York City apply to:

• Employees of city agencies and contractors
  
• Employees of private companies doing business with public entities
  
• Health care workers and public health officials
  
• Educational professionals working in city schools or agencies
  
• Officers or employees reporting misconduct internally or externally
  

In addition to protections under state and federal law, municipal workers may be protected under specific city ordinances enforced by the public advocate and the city comptroller.

Filing a Whistleblower Claim

Whistleblower claims can be filed through various channels, depending on the nature of the misconduct and the laws involved. In many cases, reporting is done internally to an agency’s inspector general, or externally to the city council, state attorney general, or the federal government. In qui tam actions under the False Claims Act, lawsuits are filed under seal, triggering a government investigation.

Each case is unique, and filing incorrectly may jeopardize protection or delay investigation. Greenberg Gross LLP helps clients navigate the legal landscape, determine the right reporting channels, and protect against retaliation throughout the process.

Our Approach to Whistleblower Representation

Greenberg Gross LLP represents employees who take great personal risk to expose wrongdoing. The firm ensures that whistleblowers are protected from retaliation and that their legal rights are respected at every stage of the process. This includes:

• Reviewing and assessing whistleblower complaints
  
• Advising on whether to report internally or externally
  
• Drafting and filing qui tam lawsuits
  
• Communicating with state or federal investigators
  
• Litigating retaliation claims where necessary
  

The attorneys at Greenberg Gross LLP offer personalized representation with deep knowledge of city, state, and federal statutes. They understand the pressure and isolation whistleblowers often face and provide both legal and emotional support during these difficult cases.

Why Choose Greenberg Gross LLP

With extensive experience in whistleblower law and public sector investigations, Greenberg Gross LLP is uniquely positioned to represent employees in complex whistleblower claims. The firm’s work is rooted in integrity, confidentiality, and accountability.

Clients benefit from:

• Deep familiarity with the False Claims Act, New York False Claims Act, and city whistleblower laws
  
• Strategic advice on protecting employment and privacy
  
• Direct guidance on navigating retaliation and internal politics
  
• Experience interacting with agencies like the city council, and other departments
  

Greenberg Gross LLP offers an initial consultation to assess your case confidentially and help you take the next step safely and strategically.