By blowing the whistle, you could be eligible for a whistleblower award
A whistleblower is anyone who has and reports insider knowledge of illegal activities occurring in an organization. Whistleblowers can be employees, suppliers, contractors, clients, or any individual who becomes aware of illegal business activities. If you have knowledge of a person or company attempting to defraud the federal government, and you come forward with this information, you could be financially rewarded for your courage and blowing the whistle.
The individuals who do so are known as whistleblowers, and they play a critical role in holding businesses and industries accountable. They also protect taxpayer dollars.
Blowing the whistle on fraud or any other illegal activity that goes against the public interest benefits the government and its people. That’s why the U.S. government offers incentives and protections to those who share credible information with them. Although you might be nervous to come forward for fear of retaliation from your employer, there are laws in place to protect you from retaliation. Read on to learn more about these laws, and how we can help.
What Are Some Examples of Fraud?
When an individual or company seeks to procure unwarranted funds from the federal government, it’s considered fraud and a violation of the False Claims Act (FCA). The FCA, also known as the Lincoln Law, imposes liability on individuals and companies who defraud government programs.
Fraud occurs in virtually every industry in which government contracts exist. Types of fraud include:
Medicare and Medicaid fraud
Defense contractor fraud
Healthcare fraud
Pharmaceutical fraud
Environmental fraud
Federal crop insurance fraud
Construction fraud
Federal student loan fraud
Securities fraud
What Is a Qui Tam?
Congress enacted strict protections for whistleblowers
who file whistleblowers lawsuits
Qui tam is a provision in the FCA that allows private citizens with evidence of fraud perpetrated against the federal government to sue the wrongdoer on behalf of the U.S. government. These citizens are rewarded with a substantial share in any financial recovery that’s made (typically 15-30% of the total amount).
The qui tam provision was enacted to encourage private citizens to come forward with information about entities defrauding federal programs, thus allowing the government to recoup stolen funds. Qui tam lawsuits differ from other types of lawsuits, such as personal injuries, in that the person bringing the suit is not the one who has been directly harmed.
Any person with information about fraud against the government – an employee, contractor, competitor, or someone else – can bring a qui tam lawsuit.
If you have information about fraud against the U.S. government, contact us. We can help you determine if you have a case, and securely walk you through the process.
How Are Whistleblowers Protected? The government affords certain protections for whistleblowers. The FCA provides protection against retaliation: Whistleblowers may not be harassed, threatened, demoted, fired, or otherwise discriminated against because of their decision to come forward. If you’ve been treated unjustly because you spoke out, you can file a lawsuit against your employer seeking damages including reinstatement (if you were fired) and back pay. Even if your claim turns out to be unsubstantiated, you are protected against retaliation provided your claim was made in good faith. Can Government Employees Be Whistleblowers, Too? Government workers can also blow the whistle on their own government. The Whistleblower Protection Act is a federal law that provides these individuals with protection for disclosing various acts of unlawful and unethical behavior on the part of the U.S. government:
Violations of the law, rules, or regulations
Abuse of authority
Gross waste of funds
Gross mismanagement
Substantial danger to public health or safety
If you are a federal employee who has uncovered possible fraud by the federal government and you have endured punishment as a result (e.g., demotion, pay cut, firing, or harassment), contact us. Our attorneys can review your case in a free, no-risk evaluation.
What Can a Whistleblower Attorney Do? Whistleblower lawsuits are complex, but we have the know-how to handle your case. Our attorneys are experienced in litigating qui tam and other whistleblower claims, from healthcare fraud to defense contractor fraud, and we have the resources to cover the expenses associated with your lawsuit. We can:
Evaluate your claim and all evidence relating to it
Help you file a lawsuit or submit information under the appropriate whistleblower program (depending on your type of case)
Persuade the government to get involved in your case, which increases the likelihood for success
Fight for the maximum compensation for your contributions as a whistleblower
Remain by your side from start to finish
We understand that you might be reluctant to file a qui tam lawsuit, but it is important to know that all FCA lawsuits are filed confidentially and may not be viewed by the accused or the general public.
The False Claims Act The FCA allows private citizens to stand in the shoes of the government and file a lawsuit on the government’s behalf in a federal district court. That lawsuit is served on the United States Attorney and remains under seal outside of the public realm while the Department of Justice and other federal and state agencies investigate the allegations. Whistleblowers or “relators” are entitled to share between 15% and 30% of the government’s recovery as a reward for bringing fraud to the government’s attention.
IRS Whistleblower Program The Internal Revenue Service’s whistleblower program allows individuals or entities with knowledge of non-payment or underpayment of taxes to come forward and provide the IRS with that information. An IRS whistleblower can receive between 15% and 30% of the total recovery. Information can be provided about both companies and individuals who have not paid their fair share of taxes, as long as certain threshold requirements are met.
SEC & CFTC Whistleblower Programs Both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have whistleblower programs that allow an individual to report violations of the securities and commodities trading laws and regulations. Successful whistleblowers are entitled in between 10% and 30% of any penalty imposed by these agencies. Whistleblowers with knowledge of insider trading, violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, accounting fraud, or any other illegal or improper schemes that harm investors or violate the law, can come forward with this information to regulatory authorities on a confidential basis.
Contact a Whistleblower Attorney If you have knowledge of fraud against or by the federal government, contact us. The consultation is free and confidential. Just complete the form below to get started or call (855) Tim-MLaw. Please also visit our Resources center which provides a wealth of whistleblower information. Call today and see what a whistleblower attorney can do fot you.
Call a Whistleblower Attorney if thinking about a Qui tam lawsuit
A NATIONAL AWARD WINNING TENNESSEE CLASS ACTION LAW FIRM Tim Miles Law Office | Class Actions | Mass Torts
By blowing the whistle, you could be eligible for a whistleblower award
Congress enacted strict protections for whistleblowers
who file whistleblowers lawsuits
