OSC Whistleblower Attorney
Experienced Legal Representation for Federal Employees Who Need to Blow the Whistle with the Office of Special Counsel (OSC)
The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is an independent agency of the federal government that protects federal employees’ rights related to their employment. Specifically, the OSC “safeguards the merit system in federal employment by protecting whistleblowers, enforcing the Hatch Act, and providing secure channels for disclosures of wrongdoing.”
As a result, in many cases, disclosing violations of federal law or federal regulations will involve filing a whistleblower complaint.
But, there are other possibilities as well; and, as a federal employee who is prepared to disclose wrongdoing, it is critical to ensure that you come forward through the appropriate channels. Our OSC whistleblower attorneys can help, and we can work directly with the appropriate federal authorities on your behalf as warranted.
The OSC Accepts Whistleblower Complaints Involving Prohibited Personnel Practices (PPPs)
One of the OSC’s primary responsibilities is enforcing federal employers’ obligation to refrain from engaging in prohibited personnel practices (PPPs). The PPPs protect federal employees and job applicants, and they are central to the federal employment system. Along with prohibiting unlawful retaliation and other forms of unlawful reprisals, the PPPs also prohibit discrimination, nepotism, coercion of political activity, and violations of the federal Merit System Principles (MSPs).
Federal employees and job applicants can report PPPs to the OSC, and those who do so can receive protections under the Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) and Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (WPEA). However, due to the nature of PPP violations, monetary rewards will not be available in most cases.
The OSC Also Accepts Whistleblower Complaints Involving Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA)
However, OSC whistleblowers may be eligible to receive monetary rewards in cases involving fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA). The OSC—along with the Justice Department and various other federal authorities—enforces the prohibitions on FWA across the federal government. This includes the federal prohibitions against:
- Fraud impacting federal contracts, grants, and programs
- Gross mismanagement of federal resources
- Gross waste of funds
- Bribery, corruption, and other abuses of authority
- Actions and omissions that present a specific danger to public health or safety
While federal employees who report FWA may be eligible to receive monetary awards in some cases, strict eligibility criteria and other requirements apply. With this in mind, if you would like to seek a financial reward for making a confidential disclosure, we strongly recommend speaking with an experienced whistleblower attorney before you come forward.
Current and Former Federal Employees May Also Have Other Options to Report Wrongdoing
Along with contacting the OSC, federal employees (and other individuals) may have various other options for exposing violations as well. Along with handling OSC whistleblower disclosures, our attorneys also represent whistleblower clients in cases involving:
Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)
The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) shares responsibility with the OSC for protecting federal employees’ and job applicants’ legal rights. If you have information about an MSP violation or an adverse employment action that does not fall within the scope of the OSC’s enforcement authority, you may be able to come forward to the MSPB.
Other Federal Agencies and Authorities
Other federal agencies and their Inspector General Offices accept whistleblower complaints as well. Congress and other federal authorities also accept whistleblower disclosures in certain circumstances. If you have information about a violation of any federal law, rule, or regulation that is unrelated to federal employment, our attorneys can help you understand your options and make an informed decision about how and where to come forward.
Qui Tam Lawsuits Under the False Claims Act
Instead of contacting the OSC, federal personnel who have information about FWA involving federal contracts, grants, and programs may be able to come forward under the False Claims Act. Not only does the False Claims Act prohibit whistleblower retaliation, but it also includes provisions for whistleblower rewards in appropriate cases.
How We Help Prospective Federal Whistleblowers
Whether you have information about fraud, waste, an abuse of authority, a prohibited personnel practice, a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, or any other federal violation, our team of experienced federal whistleblower lawyers can help you. We provide comprehensive legal advice and representation for prospective federal whistleblowers nationwide. Here is what you can expect when you contact Oberheiden P.C.:
- A Practical and Straightforward Whistleblower Case Assessment – Our attorneys will work with you to understand the implications of the information you have in your possession and help you make informed decisions about your next steps. If you are eligible to submit a whistleblower complaint, we will help you understand whether it makes sense to work with the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) or another federal authority.
- Clear and Informative Answers to Your Questions About Blowing the Whistle – Our attorneys will be more than happy to answer any questions you have about blowing the whistle. You can expect to receive clear and informative answers that you can use to help guide your decision-making.
- Direct Communication with Our Senior Whistleblower Attorneys – From the moment you schedule a free consultation at our law firm, you will work directly with our team of senior whistleblower attorneys. Federal whistleblower cases involve numerous complexities, so it is imperative to have a sufficient level of experience on your side.
- Direct Communication with the Federal Government on Your Behalf – If you decide to blow the whistle, our attorneys will communicate directly with the federal government on your behalf. Not only do we have experience working with a wide range of federal authorities as whistleblower counsel, but several of our attorneys worked for the government before entering private practice.
- No Out-of-Pocket Cost Legal Advice and Representation – In all cases, we provide whistleblower representation at no out-of-pocket cost. Your initial consultation is completely free, and you are under no obligation to continue with pursuing a whistleblower complaint. If you decide to file a whistleblower complaint, you will not have to pay a retainer, monthly legal bills, or any other out-of-pocket fees for our services.
FAQs: Blowing the Whistle as a Current or Former Federal Employee
How do I report a prohibited personnel action as a federal employee?
As a federal employee, reporting a prohibited personnel action will frequently involve contacting either the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) or the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). But, there are other possibilities as well, and it is critical to ensure that you are making an informed decision about how to come forward. Our attorneys can help.
Should I contact the OSC or my agency’s Office of Inspector General (OIG)?
Whether you should contact the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), your agency’s Office of Inspector General (OIG), or another federal authority depends on several factors. These include your position within the federal government and the specific information you have in your possession, among others. If you have questions about serving as a federal whistleblower, we strongly encourage you to schedule a free and confidential consultation at Oberheiden P.C.
What are the benefits of serving as a whistleblower as a federal employee?
As a federal employee, serving as a whistleblower can have several benefits. Blowing the whistle on prohibited personnel practices (PPPs) can help protect you and others, while reporting fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA) can protect taxpayer dollars now and in the future. In some cases, whistleblowers who report FWA and other violations of federal law may be eligible to receive monetary awards as well.
Should I hire an attorney to help me blow the whistle as a federal employee?
Yes, if you are thinking about blowing the whistle as a federal employee, we strongly recommend that you speak with an experienced federal whistleblower attorney. You will need to make several important decisions before you come forward, and you will need to be careful to protect your legal rights throughout the process. An experienced federal whistleblower attorney will be able to help you every step of the way. An experienced federal whistleblower attorney will also be able to determine if you have options for seeking a whistleblower reward.
What is my first step if I have questions about serving as an OSC whistleblower?
If you have questions about serving as an OSC whistleblower, your first step is to speak with an attorney who can explain everything you need to know about the process of blowing the whistle as a federal employee. As discussed above, while contacting the OSC might be the right approach under the circumstances at hand, you could also have other options—including options that make you eligible to receive a whistleblower reward. To speak with an experienced federal whistleblower attorney at Oberheiden P.C., contact us to arrange a free and confidential consultation today
Schedule a Free and Confidential Consultation with an OSC Whistleblower Attorney at Oberheiden P.C.
To schedule a free and confidential consultation with an experienced OSC whistleblower attorney at Oberheiden P.C., call 866-320-3959 or contact us confidentially online. Once you get in touch, we will arrange for you to speak with one of our senior attorneys in strict confidence as soon as possible.