The False Claims Act seeks to deter future fraud by providing for penalties of three-times the amount of the fraud in addition to fines of $5,000 to $10,000 per violation. Since the Act was amended in 1986, the United States has collected over $7.5 billion in fines and penalties in False Claims Act cases. The False Claims Act, also known as a "qui tam" action, allows people who have insider information of fraud against the government, to file a suit to help stop the bad actor from defrauding the United States' government. The purpose of the False Claims Act is to encourage private individuals — sometimes referred to as "whistleblowers" — who are aware of fraud being perpetrated against the government to alert the government and minimize the drain on taxpayers' funds.
"The False Claims Act dates back to the Civil War and rewards citizens who file suit on behalf of the United States to punish those who through fraud take money from American taxpayers."
|
If the case is either settled or a judgment is rendered against the defendant, the whistleblower is entitled to up to 30% of the government's recovery as an award for coming forward. Moreover, the False Claims Act prohibits employers from retaliating against whistleblowers, and allows whistleblowers that are retaliated against to sue for their damages.
The fraud against the United States can take the form of everything from submitting false invoices for payment or delivering non-conforming goods to the government under a procurement contract to underreporting mineral lease royalties and falsifying environmental compliance documents to avoid civil fines.
Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman has proven expertise in representing whistleblowers. As part of RPWB's commitment to protecting the environment and seeking redress against polluters, RPWB has represented employees who have reported illegal dumping and discharging of oil and hazardous waste. Polluters who attempt to avoid civil and criminal liability by presenting false records to the Government in order to conceal the violations are guilty of a "Reverse False Claim". Government contractors and leaseholders are required to comply with environmental laws and regulations, and the False Claims Act punishes companies who chose to profit from violating those laws.
RPWB has proven expertise in representing whistleblowers. The firm's attorneys know the ins and outs of the False Claim Act and how to best pursue litigation that serves the individual and the government.
Please
contact us with any questions or if you'd like to explore your legal rights.
