AT&T Whistleblower Beats Sanctions Claim Over Confidential Info

AT&T Inc. failed to convince a federal district court in Washington, D.C., to dismiss a whistleblower’s False Claims Act suit on the grounds that he allegedly received confidential information and documents from a former AT&T in-house attorney.

Todd Heath alleges that AT&T overbilled school districts and libraries for services under the E-Rate program, which provides internet and telephone services at discounted rates. AT&T moved to dismiss the suit, now in its eleventh year, and to disqualify Heath as a sanction.

Other less “drastic” penalties were available for AT&T to pursue, such as seeking an order compelling Heath’s attorneys to return ...