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Early win in OC 'whistleblower' case over COVID-19 testing sites
File photo of a COVID-19 test underway.
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Mario Tama
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Getty Images
)
Topline:
A whistleblower lawsuit alleging fraud by the company that ran Orange County’s COVID-era testing “super sites” could get a public airing after a judge’s ruling today.
The backstory: A former employee of 360 Health, which operated two massive COVID-19 testing operations for the county during the pandemic, has accused the company of retaliation in a lawsuit. She says she was wrongfully terminated after she refused to help the company carry out illegal billing and referral practices.
What was the hearing about? Lawyers for the company had argued that the former employee, Laura Garcia, signed an agreement upon employment requiring disputes to be handled through arbitration, not the courts. The judge ruled against the company’s motion to compel arbitration.
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What’s next? The court case will continue to make its way through O.C. Superior Court. Garcia initially asked for a jury trial but it’s unclear whether the case will get to that stage, or be settled out of court.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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