Former Executive Alleges that GE Retaliated against Him for Objecting to Company’s Efforts to Influence Iraqi Officials

Khaled Asadi, a former General Electric executive based in Iraq, filed a lawsuit in federal court in Houston, Texas, against General Electric (GE) on February 3, 2012, alleging that the company retaliated against him after he raised concerns about potential internal corruption. Asadi states in his complaint, that he was coerced to step down from his position at GE because he objected to a decision that he believed could damage GE’s international reputation and may even violate the Foreign Corrupt Practice Act.

Asadi claims that in 2010, GE hired a woman who could influence a senior Iraqi official to help GE obtain contracts from the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity. After he raised the issue with his supervisor and the GE ombudsperson, GE assigned Asadi an “extremely negative and troubling performance review” and forced him to step down from his position, which he had held since 2006.

Asadi brought his suit under the Anti-Whistleblower Retaliation provisions of the Securities Exchange Act, which protects employees of publically traded companies who report unlawful behavior by their employers. Asadi is seeking reinstatement to his prior position at GE, lost wages, and  attorney fees and costs.

A spokesman for GE denied the accusation and stated, “Mr. Asadi’s termination had absolutely nothing to do with any allegations he is making. Regarding our contracts in Iraq, GE followed all requirements and his allegations are false.”

The Employment Law Group® law firm has an extensive nationwide whistleblower practice representing employees who have been victims of retaliation.

Tagged: Enforcement Bodies, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Whistleblower Laws (Federal)