Employment attorney here. This sounds like wrongful termination in violation of public policy -- one of the most powerful exceptions to at-will employment.
Under this common law tort (recognized in nearly all states), an employer cannot fire you for refusing to commit an illegal act. Key elements:
- Clear public policy: The illegal act must violate a specific statute or regulation. Vague ethical concerns are not enough.
- Knowledge and refusal: Show you knew the act was illegal, communicated refusal, and termination was causally connected.
- Documentation: Emails, messages, or contemporaneous notes are critical and admissible.
You may also have whistleblower protections. SOX protects employees of public companies reporting securities violations. Dodd-Frank provides protections and bounties for SEC reporting. Many states have standalone whistleblower statutes.
Damages typically include back pay, front pay, emotional distress, and potentially punitive damages. Statute of limitations is 1-3 years by state. Many employment lawyers handle these on contingency.