The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has upheld a ruling that dismissed the whistleblower claims brought by Rodney Repko against Guthrie Healthcare System, where he once served as general counsel.

Because Repko’s allegations of fraud were first stated in a plea deal that he made following his theft of nearly $2 million from Guthrie, he cannot be regarded as an “original source” for the purpose of the case, the court said.