Court Lets 2 Claims Against Protega Proceed in Whistleblower Bias Suit

2 articles · Updated · Bloomberg Law · Aug 11

A federal district court refused to dismiss a former Protega key account manager’s retaliation claim under the False Claims Act and sex-discrimination claim under New York law.
The judge found she plausibly alleged protected whistleblowing after reporting suspected Physician Payments Sunshine Act and Anti-Kickback Statute violations before her termination.
Her complaint also sufficiently described a hostile work environment, alleging women who engaged in sexualized behavior received favorable treatment at the company.
The ruling keeps both claims alive at an early stage, allowing the lawsuit against Protega to move forward into the next phase.