Defense Subcontractor Settles Whistleblower Case

An Alabama-based subcontractor for the U.S. Department of Defense, Robbins, LLC, has settled a False Claims Act retaliation lawsuit brought by its former employee James Brown of Temple, Georgia.

According to Brown’s lawsuit, Robbins used an expired ingredient, Elastomag 170, when it made a rubber compound used in making sonar nose cones for U.S. Navy ships. Brown said that the nose cones house and protect the ultra-sensitive sonar equipment on Navy ships against the buildup of barnacles and other organisms that would interfere with the operation of the system.

Court documents alleged that when Robbins realized it had used an ingredient that was out-of-date, it decided that creating a new batch would be too expensive. Robbins allegedly altered the paperwork to make it appear that the Elastomag 170 was still good.

Brown claimed that he objected to shipping the rubber compound containing the expired ingredient. Robbins allegedly shipped the compound and the altered documentation while Brown was on vacation. Brown claims that when he told Robbins he was going to disclose the expired ingredient and falsified documentation to the government, he was fired.

The whistleblower’s lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount.

If you have any firsthand knowledge, information, or evidence related to any federal, state, county or city government fraud, you should speak with an experienced qui tam lawyer who can help you understand your legal rights and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

If you have a claim, contact the Florida whistleblower attorneys at Rabin Kammerer Johnson for a free and confidential consultation by calling toll free at 877.915.4040.