CIG Whistleblower Protection & Reprisal Investigations

Question 1

Which federal law provides the primary whistleblower protection for most federal civilian employees who disclose government wrongdoing?

Accepted Answer

The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989

Answer

The False Claims Act

Answer

The Inspector General Act of 1978

Answer

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act

Question 2

Which federal agency has primary responsibility for receiving and investigating whistleblower reprisal complaints from federal employees?

Accepted Answer

The Office of Special Counsel (OSC)

Answer

The Government Accountability Office (GAO)

Answer

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

Answer

The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)

Question 3

Under the Whistleblower Protection Act, which of the following qualifies as a 'protected disclosure'?

Accepted Answer

Reporting gross mismanagement, waste of funds, or abuse of authority

Answer

Disclosing classified information to the press

Answer

Reporting a supervisor's personal disagreement with agency policy

Answer

Refusing to complete routine administrative tasks

Question 4

What is the legal standard used in whistleblower reprisal cases to determine whether the protected disclosure was a factor in the adverse personnel action?

Accepted Answer

Contributing factor standard

Answer

Preponderance of the evidence

Answer

Clear and convincing evidence

Answer

Beyond a reasonable doubt

Question 5

Once a federal employee establishes a prima facie whistleblower reprisal case, the burden of proof shifts to the agency. What must the agency demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

By clear and convincing evidence that it would have taken the same action absent the disclosure

Answer

That the employee was not a reliable witness

Answer

That the disclosure was not actually protected

Answer

That the OSC lacks jurisdiction over the complaint

Question 6

Under the False Claims Act, a private individual who files a whistleblower lawsuit on behalf of the U.S. government is called a:

Accepted Answer

Relator

Answer

Informant

Answer

Intervenor

Answer

Complainant

Question 7

How many days does a federal employee generally have to file a whistleblower reprisal complaint with the Office of Special Counsel?

Accepted Answer

90 days

Answer

30 days

Answer

60 days

Answer

3 years