SEC Investigation into overly restrictive non-disclosure agreements was triggered by complaint filed by former KBR Contractor Harry Barko
Washington, D.C., 2015. April 1, 2015. Today the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission sanctioned defense contractor KBR for requiring its employees to sign restrictive non-disclosure agreements that prohibited employees from properly reporting fraud and misconduct to appropriate regulatory authorities. A copy of the SEC release on this matter, and the SEC’s enforcement action are linked.
The SEC investigation was triggered by a complaint filed by Kohn Kohn & Colapinto on behalf of a former KBR employee, Mr. Harry Barko. Read a copy of the KKC’s February 19, 2014 complaint.
Mr. Barko’s attorney, Stephen M. Kohn, issued the following statement:
“This is a historic day for whistleblowers. Corporations have a history of silencing employees by forcing them to sign highly restrictive non-disclosure agreements. Today’s action by the SEC signals the advancement of nation-wide corporate reform. Transparency has triumphed over censorship.”