Defense Contactor Fraud

Defense Contactor Fraud - "Qui tam" or "whistleblower suit" is a legal action brought by an “informer” or “whistleblower” under a provision of the Federal Civil False Claims Act that allows private citizens to file a lawsuit on behalf of the United States Government alleging fraud, kickbacks,  or misuse of government funds.  A party who brings a successful whistleblower suit receives, as an award, a share in any money recovered.
  
     The False Claims Act (FCA) prohibits:

• Making a false record or statement to get a false or fraudulent claim paid by the government; 
• Conspiring to have a false or fraudulent claim paid by the government; 
• Withholding property of the government with the intent to defraud the government or to willfully conceal it from the government; 
• Making or delivering a receipt for the government's property which is false or fraudulent; 
• Buying property belonging to the government from someone who is not authorized to sell the property; or, 
• Making a false statement to avoid or deceive an obligation to pay money or property to the government.

Under the FCA's qui tam provisions, a person with evidence of fraud, also known as a whistle blower or relator, is authorized to file a case in federal court and sue, on behalf of the government, persons engaged in the fraud and to share in any money the government may recover. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has the responsibility to decide on behalf of the government whether to join the whistle blower in prosecuting these cases.

From fiscal years 1987 through 2005, settlements and judgments for the federal government in FCA cases have exceeded $15 billion, of which $9.6 billion, or 64 percent, was for cases filed by whistle blowers under FCA's qui tam provisions. The whistle blowers share of the qui tam settlements and judgments was over $1.6 billion during this period. If you would like to speak to an attorney regarding a potential whistleblower case, fill out the form below.

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Free Defense Contractor Fraud Consultation

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