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Wells Fargo Bank Sued for Awareness of Violations of Patriot Act


WEBWIRE

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLA. – The LaBovick Law Group filed a civil litigation lawsuit in September (15th Judicial Circuit of FL, Case No: 50 2011CA 013862 XXXXMB) alleging Wells Fargo, N.A. terminated an employee after she brought evidence of multiple branch violations of the “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001” also known as the “Patriot Act” to her superiors’ attention .

This case will “shed light on Wells Fargo’s willful violations of the Patriot Act for financial gain,” Scott R. Haft, Esq. of the LaBovick Law Group said.

A Palm Beach County Wachovia Bank branch manager noticed multiple unnecessary and undocumented bank accounts improperly opened by several Wachovia employees. These accounts were not properly documented, funded or utilized by customers. Through additional research she found that multiple accounts for minors with no identifications were also opened regularly. This practice is specifically prohibited as a direct violation of the Patriot Act. This research was documented and brought to the attention of Wells Fargo supervisors numerous times. After telling her supervisor about the violations, the plaintiff was punished and put on over-hire status, only allowed to fill in when necessary between eight offices in the Palm Beach County district. While floating between Wells Fargo offices, she observed the banking violations continue. She determined that Wells Fargo may have a financial incentive to opening accounts in violation of the law. It is being determined if any additional government bailout funds are provided to Wells Fargo for permitting this illegal practice.

In August, the bank manager’s employment was terminated because she refused to commit illegal and unethical acts in violation of the US anti-terrorist laws.

Under the State of Florida whistleblower protection laws, an employee cannot be fired for reporting illegal or unethical acts of his/her company.

“This case will force Wells Fargo to reevaluate the way they open new bank accounts, and it will stop them from continuing to violate the Patriot Act disclosure requirements,” Haft said. “It will also send a message to other banking institutions to check their procedures on opening new bank accounts, so they comply with the law"

ABOUT LaBOVICK LAW GROUP

LaBovick Law Group is a full-service civil litigation firm serving the state of Florida. The firm specializes in a bouquet of practices from personal injury law, maritime law, ADA, insurance disputes, health care law, family law, estate planning, Qui Tam, commercial litigation, bankruptcy, foreclosure defense and more.

For more information, visit the LaBovick Law Group offices in Palm Beach Gardens, or go to the firm’s website at http://www.LaBovick.com .

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