HR Director accused me of aiding a friend who is suing my company. It was done w/my boss present. Suspended.?

Question

I work in our Los Angeles office.  My immediate supervisor works in our New York office.  The HR Director works out of our Miami office.

My boss flew into Los Angeles uknown to anyone walked up to me and said to join him in the conference room.  We dialed a call to the HR director.

The HR director accused me of being a hacker and stealing informatin and providing to my friend who filed suit against my company.  She had no proof, used vague examples to her reasoning and specifically asked what items and how I was able to provide the suing party with.

Her tone was very bitchy.  I was threaten of criminal charges and told any hacking found I did is a federal offense.  

I was suspended until further notice with no pay.  I was not given a specific reason why or documentation for the suspension.

I was told to provide a statement to her ONLY.  I was told not to talk to anyone in the company except her and a VP.  Told not even to contact my boss.

Answer 1

A general rule of thumb is that an employer can fire any employee for any reason -- ANY REASON -- except age, gender, or race discrimination. If you do not qualify under these three exemptions, you will probably not have much success with a lawsuit. But if you don't mind paying a consultation fee to an attorney, go ahead. (Remember, though, that a dishonest attorney may pursue a lawsuit if only to rack up fees for himself.)

Answer 2

Sounds like it's time for you to contact an attorney.

Answer 3

Well, did you or didn't you?  You evaded that subject in your posting.

Answer 4

You have some protection under the whistle blowers act, however ,if you only provided supporting info and werent the one blowing the whistle your degree of protection claim is dimenished, also if you copied,downloaded,hacked or other wise comprimised confidential company documents,records or information, without a court order  whistle blowers doesnt apply and they can terminate you for the infraction. So did you or did you exchange any company information with an outside party for any reason, if you did then your guilty and they should fire you. if not then you need to sort that out with HR and your company.