The Anti-Fraud Coalition Conference Highlights Whistleblower Law Developments
This November, The Anti-Fraud Coalition (TAF) 25th Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. updated whistleblower attorneys on key developments in whistleblower laws and programs. Getnick Law partners Neil Getnick, Lesley Ann Skillen, Margaret Finerty, and Courtney Finerty-Stelzner spoke at the conference on issues affecting whistleblowers; strategic considerations and complexities that can arise during False Claims Act and whistleblower program cases; and tax whistleblower developments, including those in the IRS Whistleblower Program, as well as the imminent launch of His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (“HMRC”) reward scheme in the United Kingdom.
Lesley moderated a panel on navigating the ethical rewards and challenges of media exposure for whistleblower lawyers and their clients. The session brought together experienced whistleblower attorneys and a Pulitzer prize-winning Wall Street Journal reporter who discussed real-world dilemmas, including maintaining privilege and confidentiality, while managing the dynamics of media engagement. The panelists shared insights on how to protect clients and avoid missteps that could compromise a case or professional reputation while reaping the benefits of media exposure in today’s complex whistleblower landscape.
Neil moderated a panel of former whistleblowers, who told their stories of finding the courage to blow the whistle on their companies’ wrongdoing and navigating their cases with the help of their attorneys. During the panel, Neil commended the whistleblowers for their commitment to combatting fraud.
Margaret participated on a panel that discussed significant developments in the IRS Whistleblower Program, the continued growth in the use of qui tam cases for tax violations at the state level, and the increased emergence of international tax whistleblower programs. Specifically, Margaret spoke about the anticipated new reward program for informants expected to be launched before year’s end by HMRC, the United Kingdom’s department responsible for collecting taxes and customs duties. The new initiative is to be modeled on the successful United States’ tax whistleblower program, which pays whistleblowers a percentage of the tax recovered as a result of the information they provided. Margaret was joined by a member of HMRC in presenting this new initiative.
Courtney participated in a panel on managing whistleblower clients’ real-world challenges that can arise during False Claims Act qui tam cases, including the psychological toll of workplace retaliation and bringing a whistleblower case; divorce and bankruptcy proceedings; separate litigations that can impact the whistleblower case; and seal violations. The panelists provided attorneys with practical guidance on how to avoid or successfully navigate landmines that can occur during False Claims Act cases while protecting the client’s safety, financial interests, and well-being. Courtney also co-moderated a session for former whistleblower attendees and spoke at TAF’s Young Lawyer Division conference on career development.
TAF is a public interest non-profit dedicated to fighting fraud against the government by incentivizing integrity. Getnick Law attorneys have long participated in the TAF Annual Conference and are significantly involved in the organization. Neil Getnick served as the organization’s Chair from 2005-2021 and is currently a member of its President’s Council and Chair of its Regulatory Committee. Margaret Finerty is a member of TAF’s IRS Whistleblower Committee and Financial Fraud Committee. Lesley Ann Skillen is a member of TAF’s Member Education and Communications Committees and served on its Subcommittee on COVID-19 Pharmaceutical Fraud. Courtney Finerty-Stelzner is the former Chair of TAF’s Young Lawyer Division Board and currently serves as its attorney-member liaison to the Whistleblower Board.
Learn more about Getnick Law’s whistleblower practice.