US Labor Department To Probe Apple Over Whistleblower Counterattack

The U.S. Department of Labor is investigating Apple Inc AAPL over alleged retaliation against a whistleblower, Financial Times reports.

• Ashley Gjovik, 35, served as a senior engineering program manager for six years. 
• Apple fired her for allegedly leaking confidential information in September.
• The employee complained of workplace harassment and unsafe working conditions.
• Gjovik, who regularly tweeted about her allegations of harassment, surveillance, and workplace safety issues, alleged dismissal under a false pretext following numerous complaints that led to more than a dozen instances of retaliation, including job reassignment. 
• The labor department confirmed its investigation in a letter to Gjovik.
• Gjovik's original complaints stemmed from mid-March, when she cited "chemical exposure" concerns at her Apple office in Sunnyvale, California. "They intimidated me not to speak about my safety concerns," Gjovik alleged. 
• Gjovik pointed to a potential conflict of interest regarding Apple audit committee Chair Ronald Sugar who previously served as the CEO of Northrop Grumman Corp NOC. Northrop was responsible for the dump and maintenance of waste materials beneath the Sunnyvale office. 
• Related Content: Key Takeaways From Facebook Whistleblower's Senate Appearance
• Price Action: AAPL shares traded lower by 0.37% at $175.09 on the last check Tuesday.