![]() ![]() ![]() However, the jury found Bio-Rad and its CEO failed to prove by” clear and convincing evidence” that it would have fired Wadler “based on wholly legitimate reasons” if the former general counsel had not reported the bribery allegations. Potter said Wadler's failure to notify colleagues of critical information for Securities and Exchange Commission filings was another reason for his termination. The jury found that Wadler engaged in a protected activity when he sent a memo to Bio-Rad's audit committee in February 2013 calling for an investigation into a possible bribery scandal in China that could involve senior management.Īlthough a four-month investigation found no direct evidence of misconduct, Wadler argued that the act of reporting his concerns was a protected whistleblower activity under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.ĭuring the trial and closing arguments, Bio-Rad's attorney John Potter said Wadler was not fired for trying to expose misconduct, but because of increasingly unruly and quarrelsome behavior, which included yelling at colleagues and pounding his fist on tables. Wadler sought $35 million - $2.96 million in economic losses, $5.33 million in future economic losses and $27 million in punitive damages. “We hope this will send a message that corporations need to respond appropriately to whistleblower claims." “We are very gratified that the jury unanimously upheld my client's whistleblower rights," Wadler's attorney James Wagstaffe said Monday. Wadler sued Hercules-based Bio-Rad Laboratories and its CEO Norman Schwartz in May 2015, claiming he was fired in June 2013 for reporting potential bribery in China, in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The jury of five women and four men returned the verdict Monday afternoon a few hours after starting deliberations at the end of a three-week trial. Because the Dodd-Frank Act allows double back pay damages for whistleblower retaliation, the back pay award will increase to $5.92 million, bringing the total to nearly $11 million. The jury awarded Sanford “Sandy” Wadler $2.96 million for economic losses and $5 million in punitive damages. I trust all of you share our vision of a sustainable future.SAN FRANCISCO (CN) - A federal jury Monday awarded the former general counsel of Bio-Rad Laboratories $8 million in back pay and damages - which will increase to $11 million - for whistleblower retaliation involving potential bribery in China. We have a strong record of achievement and contribution to the world we live in, but we can always do more. As a science-based company, we have grown up with respect for our environment, our communities, and the individuals we work shoulder-to-shoulder with every day. Additionally, we are committed to providing greater transparency with our disclosures and plan to publish our first formal sustainability report based on the GRI framework by mid-2022. Our new sustainability strategy includes six long-term goals that are highlighted on this page. In 2021, Bio-Rad conducted a materiality assessment to identify the highest priority topics for sustainability and to set targets for improvement. Equally important is minimizing our impact on the environment and making a difference in the many communities we serve in meaningful ways.įulfilling these goals is more complex and challenging than ever before as the world around us continues to evolve, placing new demands and greater expectations on companies. Most important to us is ensuring the highest standards of business ethics and integrity throughout our global operation, a responsibility of every employee at Bio-Rad. ![]() It is our privilege to be part of the process of helping people live longer, healthier lives, however we realize this aspiration comes with responsibilities to those we serve, the environment, our employees and partners, as well as the many communities in which we work. Since we first began 70 years ago, Bio-Rad has been committed to its vision of providing useful products and solutions that help life science researchers accelerate the discovery process and clinical diagnostics laboratorians obtain faster, more accurate results. ![]()
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