A recent lawsuit claims that an individual was terminated from his job after raising concerns about cybersecurity practices that he believed could mislead investors and regulators. The complaint was filed by Michael Spece in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey on April 13, 2026, naming Chubb Limited, ACE American Insurance Company doing business as Chubb, Jay Mistry, and Mirza Delibegovic as defendants.
According to the filing, Michael Spece worked within Chubb-branded operations from August 2021 until his termination in October 2024. He alleges that during his employment with ACE American Insurance Company—his employer of record—he handled highly sensitive data and systems related to underwriter emails and business information. In 2024, Spece reports having raised internal concerns about what he described as weaknesses in cybersecurity controls that exposed sensitive business and customer information to unauthorized access or misuse.
The complaint states that Spece believed these issues were not only internal matters but also contradicted public statements made by Chubb Limited regarding its cybersecurity posture in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other shareholder communications. He reported concerns including insecure access practices, weak password controls, hardcoded credentials, improper data access, inadequate governance, and what he describes as false or misleading denials about risks. These reports were made to management—including defendants Jay Mistry and Mirza Delibegovic—Human Resources, internal ethics channels, and other relevant parties within the company during 2024.
Spece contends that his disclosures implicated potential violations such as mail fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, securities fraud, SEC rules violations, or actions that could mislead shareholders. He asserts that these problems could have resulted from incompetence or reckless disregard rather than deliberate concealment alone. The complaint specifically names Mistry and Delibegovic as managers who received his reports and whom he believes were directly involved in both the alleged underlying conduct and subsequent retaliation.
Following these protected activities under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act’s whistleblower provisions (18 U.S.C. §1514A), Spece alleges he faced hostility from management at ACE American Insurance Company operating within Chubb-branded operations. He describes being accused of insubordination and subjected to what he characterizes as a one-sided internal process leading up to his termination in October 2024.
After his dismissal, Spece filed a whistleblower complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on November 6, 2024 (Case No. 301044884). More than 180 days passed without resolution before administrative proceedings moved to the Office of Administrative Law Judges under ALJ No. 2025-SOX-00052. On March 31, 2026, an administrative law judge dismissed the case with prejudice; however, Spece’s civil action was filed before this order became final by the Secretary of Labor.
In his court filing for de novo review—a fresh consideration by a federal district court—Spece maintains that his actions constituted protected activity under federal law because they involved reporting conduct reasonably believed to violate laws concerning corporate disclosures or fraud against shareholders. He argues that retaliation against him included unfavorable personnel actions such as hostility from management figures named in the suit and ultimately termination of employment.
The lawsuit requests several forms of relief: judgment in favor of Spece on his claim of unlawful retaliation; a declaration that defendants violated federal whistleblower protections; reinstatement or front pay if reinstatement is not feasible; back pay with interest; special damages for emotional distress and reputational harm; litigation costs; expert witness fees if applicable; attorney fees if recoverable; any further relief necessary to make him whole under applicable statutes; and any additional relief deemed just by the court.
Michael Spece is representing himself pro se in this matter. The case is identified as Civil Action No. 2:26-cv-03900-CCC-JRA.
Source: 226cv03900_Spece_v_Chubb_Limited_Complaint_District_New_Jersey.pdf
