Category: BLOG
On National Whistleblower Day . . . Ode to Whistleblowers
Becoming a whistleblower is a process that is not invited or welcome. It confronts individuals with a reality they cannot ignore and calls them to take a stand in a place they would not choose. But for their sense of integrity, whistleblowers would prefer to remain among those who are silent.
Avoiding the Orange Jumpsuit: Worldwide Corporate Fraud
In its 2016 Annual Review of Corporate Fraud and Corruption, Financier Worldwide magazine reported that every year, corporate fraud causes companies to lose about 5% of their annual revenue.1 In dollar terms, this converts to trillions of dollars each year lost through fraud worldwide. As a result of this problem, countries globally are introducing new …
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The #MeToo Phenomenon and What it Means for Workplace Sexual Harassment Claims
Several months ago the New York Times published an article on why the #MeToo phenomenon has become one of the most important movements in the employment law arena.1 Journalist Susan Chira explained the results of a national online survey reporting that an astounding 81% of women and 43% of men had experienced some form of …
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Stop Sexual Abuse in Immigration Detention Centers Now
Immigration has long been a contentious subject, and we now see media reports nearly every day telling us that the United States has an immigration “problem.” Indeed we do, but it is one that most people never hear about; specifically the physical and sexual harassment, abuse, assaults and rapes perpetrated against the women, men, and …
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Allegiance Health Management, Inc. Agrees to Pay $1.7 Million in False Claims Act Settlement
Beginning in 2005, Allegiance entered into agreements with hospitals located in the Southeastern United States to provide Intensive Outpatient Psychotherapy services to patients who were Medicare beneficiaries on the hospitals’ behalf. The settlement resolves allegations that many patients were provided services that did not qualify for Medicare reimbursement but were billed as such.
Halunen Law Continues Fight for Justice Against California-based Yosemite Home Decor in Employment Contract Case. Trial Slated for July 30.
Halunen Law partner and employment attorney Ross Stadheim has been tenacious in his fight to obtain justice for his client, Richard “Rick” Messina, in a case involving the existence of a two-year employment contract and numerous appeals to the 8th Circuit. His client will finally get to tell his story to a jury during the …
Have I Been Wrongfully Terminated?
Minnesota is known as an employment “at-will” state. This means that an employer can terminate an employee for any reason, or no reason at all. This “at-will” doctrine gives employers considerable discretion, and allows them to terminate an employee for what may seem like unreasonable and irrational reasons. For example, let’s say your employer terminates …
Halunen Law Seeks Justice for Special Education Teacher, Whistleblower
Halunen Law attorneys Ross Stadheim and Blaine Balow filed a lawsuit in United States District Court—District of Minnesota on behalf of Karen Abbott, a special education teacher in Independent School District 518. The suit claims the district unlawfully retaliated against Ms. Abbott —including harassment and a formal reprimand—because she reported special education violations. Ms. Abbott’s …
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Halunen Law Paralegal Toni Decker attends WATCH event honoring Ramsey County Attorney John Choi
Halunen Law paralegal Toni Decker has supported the work of WATCH for many years. The Minneapolis-based court monitoring and judicial policy non-profit works to make the justice system more responsive to crimes of violence against women and children, focusing on greater safety for victims of violence and greater accountability for violent offenders. On April 19, …
Halunen Law’s Emily Havrilak Attends International Conference on Behalf of the Turner Syndrome Society
Turner Syndrome Society Halunen Law staff member Emily Havrilak was recently in Poland for a meeting of the International Coalition of Organizations Supporting Endocrine Patients (ICOSEP). Representatives of organizations from 11 different countries met to discuss various issues related to the importance of monitoring children’s growth. Emily has been involved with the Turner Syndrome Society …