Former Manager Says Deutsche Bank Fired Him When He Reported Security Breach

With details that resemble a spy movie in some ways, a former manager’s lawsuit against Deutsche Bank alleges that he was the victim of unlawful retaliation. The case stems from James Papa's claim that he was fired for reporting a serious security violation at the financial institution.  

In March 2023, Papa says he learned that a Computacenter employee allowed an unauthorized individual access to Deutsche Bank’s tech rooms. According to the complaint, this individual was the employee’s girlfriend, identified as "Jenny." Though Papa said he confronted the employee about breaking the rules, the unauthorized visits continued, compromising the bank’s security protocols. Later, Papa learned that the woman was a citizen of China and traveled back to that country with her boyfriend. 

Not only did this intrusion break company policy, but Papa states that it warranted a report to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC requires prompt disclosure of incidents potentially affecting investor decisions, including security breaches that could impact the organization's integrity or data protection.

Despite the seriousness of the breach, Papa claims that the companies opted for concealment over transparency, motivated by concerns about reputational damage. This purported decision to cover up the incident forms the basis of Papa’s lawsuit. He alleges that his termination on July 31, 2023, was a direct result of his insistence on reporting the breach to the appropriate authorities, thereby framing his firing as a retaliatory action.

Papa's lawsuit argues that he was wrongfully terminated not for performance issues but as part of a conspiracy to silence his attempts to uphold regulatory standards and protect investor interests. If true, such actions represent a breach of whistleblower protections designed to safeguard employees who report wrongdoing.

A popular saying associated with locations where there might be a security risk or unexpected attack is “If you see something, say something.” Seemingly, Papa followed this axiom, but was not rewarded for his diligence, but instead punished with the loss of his job. 

Kardell Law Group seeks justice for conscientious whistleblowers who experience adverse job actions because the report problems that their employers would rather hide. If you’ve noticed something wrong and suffered retaliation as a result, reach out to us.