CIG Whistleblower Protection & Reprisal Investigations 2

Question 1

Which law protects federal contractor employees, subcontractor employees, and grantee employees who report fraud, waste, or abuse on federal contracts?

Accepted Answer

41 U.S.C. § 4712 (contractor whistleblower protections)

Answer

The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989

Answer

The National Defense Authorization Act whistleblower provisions

Answer

The Lloyd-LaFollette Act

Question 2

The Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 expanded protections to cover which category of employees that was previously excluded?

Accepted Answer

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees

Answer

State government employees

Answer

Members of Congress

Answer

Private sector employees

Question 3

Under the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008, what new protection was added for individuals who report wrongdoing to an Inspector General?

Accepted Answer

Prohibition on disclosing the identity of complainants without consent

Answer

Guaranteed anonymity for all IG complainants

Answer

Criminal penalties for anyone who discloses complainant identity

Answer

Mandatory financial rewards for successful IG disclosures

Question 4

What is a 'qui tam' action under the False Claims Act?

Accepted Answer

A lawsuit filed by a private individual on behalf of the government to recover losses from fraud

Answer

A government-initiated criminal prosecution for fraud

Answer

An administrative proceeding before the MSPB for reprisal

Answer

A civil monetary penalty action initiated by an Inspector General

Question 5

Under the Whistleblower Protection Act, which of the following is NOT considered a prohibited personnel practice against a whistleblower?

Accepted Answer

Assigning the employee to a different geographic location for a legitimate operational reason

Answer

Removal or demotion

Answer

Significant change in duties

Answer

Reprimand or suspension

Question 6

Which standard applies when an Inspector General is determining whether a complainant's identity should be protected during a reprisal investigation?

Accepted Answer

IGs are prohibited from disclosing complainant identity without consent

Answer

Identity is always disclosed to the subject of investigation

Answer

Identity is protected only if the complainant requests it in writing

Answer

Identity is disclosed once the investigation is complete

Question 7

If the Office of Special Counsel determines a reprisal complaint has merit, what is the primary action it may take?

Accepted Answer

Seek corrective action and, if necessary, bring the case before the Merit Systems Protection Board

Answer

Impose criminal sanctions on the retaliating official directly

Answer

Immediately reinstate the employee without further proceedings

Answer

Refer the matter to the Department of Justice for prosecution