BBG Watch

BBG Watch EXCLUSIVE

The Washington, D.C. law firm, Themis PLLC, has released additional information on its $400 million class action lawsuit, Lee, et al. v. United States of America, 1:15-cv-01555-C, which it filed on December 21, 2015 in the United States Court of Federal Claims on behalf of individuals who provided “personal services” to the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) while allegedly being treated as independent contractors under purchase orders, personal services contracts, or blanket purchase agreements.

 
THEMIS PLLC
 
Themis Logo“We would like to provide you an update on the BBG Class Action pending in the Court of Federal Claims. The government’s deadline to respond to our complaint was April 14, 2016. In lieu of filing a response with the Court, the government requested an additional two weeks to respond. The Court granted that request and the new deadline is April 28.
 
While delays may seem like a nuisance, we are optimistic that the government needs the extra time because of the substance of our claims.
 
We have also been in ongoing contact with government counsel and are aware of the legal issues the government intends to raise in its defense. We have anticipated these issues from the outset of our work on this case and are prepared to rebut them.
 
This short extension is an opportunity for class members who have not yet indicated an intent to opt in to do so at http://themis.us.com/BBGLitigation/ . The sooner we have assembled all the opt-ins, the sooner we will be able to administer claims on all those eligible.”

 

 

Themis PLLC has created Themis.us.com/BBGLitigation website which provides up-to-date information about the status of the lawsuit against BBG and answers frequently asked questions.

According to the firm, independent contractors providing personal services to the BBG are potential members of the class. Themis PLLC points out that it does not matter whether the BBG calls an independent contractor a POV or a PSC, or uses some other term. “If you were providing personal services, you may be entitled to compensation for the higher pay and greater benefits provided to federal government employees,” the firm stated on its website.

The class action lawsuit seeks back pay and other financial compensation for all qualifying individuals who opt-in to the class. The firm stated that independent contractors providing personal services to the BBG must affirmatively join the class to benefit from any recovery. The special Themis PLLC webpage provides information how to join the class action lawsuit, why contractors should consider joining now, how the firm claims it will protect their confidentiality, and what they might be able to recover at no cost to themselves.

The main Themis PLLC website address is: http://www.themis.us.com.

ALSO READ: Washington Post expanded column offers new details on Voice of America contracting scandal, BBG Watch, November 24, 2014.

 

Agency few Americans use generates controversy, this time with contractors, Joe Davidson, The Washington Post, November 24, 2014.

 

OIG Audit of the Broadcasting Board of Governors Administration and Oversight of Acquisition Functions

 
Audit of the Broadcasting Board of Governors Administration and Oversight of Acquisition Functions
 

BBG Briefing Paper on Use of Contractors

 
BBG Briefing Paper on Use of Contractors
 

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