(a) In general

(1) Employees of credit unions

No insured credit union may discharge or otherwise discriminate against any employee with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the employee (or any person acting pursuant to the request of the employee) provided information to the Board or the Attorney General regarding any possible violation of any law or regulation by the credit union or any director, officer, or employee of the credit union.

(2) Employees of the Administration

The Administration may not discharge or otherwise discriminate against any employee (including any employee of the National Credit Union Central Liquidity Facility) with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the employee (or any person acting pursuant to the request of the employee) provided information to the Administration or the Attorney General regarding any possible violation of any law or regulation by—

(A) any credit union or the Administration;

(B) any director, officer, committee member, or employee of any credit union; or

(C) any officer or employee of the Administration.

(b) Enforcement

Any employee or former employee who believes he has been discharged or discriminated against in violation of subsection (a) may file a civil action in the appropriate United States district court before the close of the 2-year period beginning on the date of such discharge or discrimination. The complainant shall also file a copy of the complaint initiating such action with the Board.

(c) Remedies

Terms Used In 12 USC 1790b

  • Administration: means the National Credit Union Administration. See 12 USC 1752
  • Board: means the National Credit Union Administration Board. See 12 USC 1752
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • insured credit union: means any credit union the member accounts of which are insured in accordance with the provisions of subchapter II of this chapter, and the term "noninsured credit union" means any credit union the member accounts of which are not so insured. See 12 USC 1752
  • officer: includes any person authorized by law to perform the duties of the office. See 1 USC 1

If the district court determines that a violation of subsection (a) has occurred, it may order the credit union or the Administration which committed the violation—

(1) to reinstate the employee to his former position,

(2) to pay compensatory damages, or

(3) take other appropriate actions to remedy any past discrimination.

(d) Limitations

The protections of this section shall not apply to any employee who—

(1) deliberately causes or participates in the alleged violation of law or regulation, or

(2) knowingly or recklessly provides substantially false information to such an agency or the Attorney General.