A woman from Texas is seeking whistleblower protection alleging she was retaliated against after pointing out that her company was intending to commit fraud.

Plaintiff Liesl R. filed this whistleblower protection lawsuit against Sonic Healthcare Inc., alleging she faced a hostile work environment and wrongful termination after pointing out the alleged intent to commit fraud against the federal government. She is seeking protection under the anti-retaliation provisions of the False Claims Act.

The False Claims Act prevents employers from retaliating against employees who report any alleged fraudulent actions against the federal government.

Liesl states that after she pointed out this potential violation, she was treated very harshly and was fired soon after. According to the whistleblower protection lawsuit, Liesl worked in several high demand positions with heavy responsibilities and had performed well in each occupation.

Even with this work history, Liesl says she encountered a hostile work environment after complaining about Sonic’s alleged intent to commit fraud.

Overview of Whistleblower Protection Lawsuit

Liesl says she previously worked for the company as Compliance Direct for subsidiary Clinical Pathological Laboratories in 2016 and was later transferred to the corporate headquarters on Aug. 7, 2017.

She alleges Chief Compliance Officer Dana Simonds had repeatedly praised her for her performance and contributions of the company, including drafting up the company’s 100-page complications manual. In December 2017, Liesl says she received a $12,500 bonus, with Simonds commending her merits once again.

However, she claims her work environment drastically changed when Liesel learned of the company’s alleged intention of removing a certain disclosure on Medicare claims.

According to the whistleblower protection lawsuit, Sonic had allegedly planned to deliberately remove the “for research purposes only” disclaimers on lab reports for tests that Medicare would not fund.

After learning of this alleged plan, Liesl says she emailed Simonds and Chief Medical Director Jerry Hussong, telling them it would be unlawful to remove the disclaimer because it could be constituted as healthcare fraud.

Liesl reportedly cited different laws Sonic would be breaking including the False Claims Act and said she was upholding her job as the company’s Compliance Officer. However, Simonds immediately responded by allegedly “yelling” at her and “demanded” she revoke her complaint.

Simonds also allegedly stated that she already approved this idea and that Liesl’s complaint would cost the company millions if she reported it. Less than two hours after receiving this response, Liesl says she forwarded her email to CEO Steve Shumpert and wrote: “she got in trouble for reviewing.”

Hussong later responded to her concern by stating that he would not remove the disclosures from the claims that were currently on hold for submission, so “modified” claims would not be sent.

However, Hussong allegedly indicated that other claims would be submitted later that would not include the disclosures. Liesl responded by stating that company officials appeared to be “hiding a fraud scheme from the government.”

Husson reportedly stopped talking to Liesl after this email, with other employees treating her differently as well. This included moving her from an office to a cubicle, and she was fired several days later on Feb. 20, 2018.

Even though Simonds acknowledged that Liesl as an employee was well qualified, the company stated that she did not fit in the company’s current “culture.”

This Whistleblower Protection Lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-cv-00772, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.