Richard Lantz's Case: The Chicago Bridge And Iron Company, Inc.

In 2008 Paul Blakeslee was employed with Shaw Environment and Infrastructure, a contracting firm with numerous contracts across the globe. Paul was the manager of the employees designated to complete a contract in Alaska worth over $100 million. Specifically, the company was responsible for working on Fort Richardson and Fort Wainwright, both United States Army bases. Shortly after entering the position, Paul became aware that the project manager for the Alaskan project, Richard Lantz, owned at least one third of the company that was leasing the equipment Shaw was utilizing for the job. The equipment was valued at approximately $2 million and the company was often not bidding competitively; yet, was still being awarded the leasing contracts. As a result, Paul felt that fraud was taking place, and decided to write a letter to Shaw’s then CEO, Mr. J M Bernhard Jr. In the lawsuit that followed, it states that Lantz became informed about Paul’s letter to the CEO and in consequence threatened to lay him off. Lantz’s reasoning for the necessity of ceasing the employment of Paul was to save money. (Schaefer, 2013) Approximately one week after being threatened with termination, he received a letter …show more content…
In 2012 Shaw environmental was acquired by CB&I, The Chicago Bridge and Iron Company. Unfortunately, I was unable to determine the exact rationale for why the company was bought out, but I believe it was due to the hefty lawsuit they were forced to pay. Moreover, I learned a highly important lesson from the transactions of this case. I gained the knowledge that if one is the whistleblower one’s rights will be protected. The laws were enacted in order to help stop fraud and corruption in the American business world, and one will not be punished for exposing corruption. Thus, the case sends a clear and distinct message that fraud, corruption, and cover ups will not be