Katz, Marshall & Banks, LLP Files Whistleblower Retaliation Law Suit Against ArmorGroup and ArmorGroup North America. |
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April 24, 2008
Debra S. Katz, Lisa Banks and Hanan Idilbi along with co-counsel Richard Condit of the Government Accountability Project ("GAP") filed a whistleblower retaliation law suit against ArmorGroup and ArmorGroup North America on behalf of KMB clients James Sauer and Pete Martino. Messrs. Sauer and Martino have alleged that they were terminated in retaliation for their whistleblowing about the fraudulent representations made by Defendants ArmorGroup North America ("AGNA") and ArmorGroup International ("AGI") to the United States Department of State.
Debra S. Katz, Lisa Banks and Hanan Idilbi along with co-counsel Richard Condit of the Government Accountability Project ("GAP") filed a whistleblower retaliation law suit against ArmorGroup and ArmorGroup North America on behalf of KMB clients James Sauer and Peter Martino. Messrs. Sauer and Martino have alleged that they were terminated in retaliation for their whistleblowing about the fraudulent representations made by Defendants ArmorGroup North America ("AGNA") and ArmorGroup International ("AGI") to the United States Department of State.
According to the Complaint, Defendants made these fraudulent misrepresentations regarding AGNA's experience, staffing capabilities, equipment and facilities in its attempt to secure and maintain a $187 million government contract to provide a guard force to protect the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. Messrs. Sauer and Martino gave lengthy and distinguished service in the United States Marine Corps and command records of success in the management of security functions in combat and other crisis situations, and were employed by Defendant AGNA during 2007 as the chief Program Managers responsible for providing a guard force to protect the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan pursuant to a contract awarded to AGNA by the United States Department of State ("DoS"). According to the Complaint, soon after beginning their employment, Messrs. Sauer and Martino discovered that Defendants had materially misrepresented AGNA's capabilities in winning the contract award and lacked the means, facilities, and expertise to perform as warranted. Plaintiffs repeatedly reported their concerns to AGNA and AGI, who acknowledged that AGNA had underbid the contract in order to secure it, and who directed them to "make do" and put a "good face" on the situation to ensure that a profit would be made on the contract and that shareholders would be satisfied. After strongly objecting to the business practices of AGI and AGNA of putting profit over the security standards necessary to protect the U.S. Embassy and its personnel, Messrs. Sauer and Martino were terminated from their employment on June 13, 2007, the day after conveying their concerns to AGNA officers, and thereafter to responsible personnel at the U.S. Embassy, including via a writing that detailed the numerous ways in which AGNA "has no regard for the security of the United States Embassy, and is interested in only their stocks."
Related Links:
- NPR aired an interview with Messrs. Sauer, Martino, and Ms. Katz about the lawsuit and Sauer and Martino's allegations on All Things Considered entitled "Ex-Marines Suing U.S. Security Contractor."
- Whistleblower retaliation complaint: James Sauer and Peter Martino against ArmorGroup and ArmorGroup North America
- ABC.com ran a story about the filing of the suit at: "Suit: Guard Firm Left U.S. Embassy in Kabul Vulnerable."
