Arming Vessels against Friendly Nations
With over 190 countries throughout the world, it is important for nations to remain friendly with each other. Even if a person from the United States acts alone in committing a crime against a friendly nation, this can put a strain on the relationship between the victimized nation and the U.S. Thus, the government takes crimes like arming vessels against friendly nations very seriously.
Of course, it is impossible for the government to monitor every shipyard to see if people are illegally arming their vessels. Thus, the U.S. relies on whistleblowers to bring these criminals to court. If you believe that you know someone guilty of arming a ship against a friendly nation, you should not hesitate to bring this person to court on behalf of the government. To discuss your case, contact an experienced Qui Tam lawyer from Tycko & Zavareei, LLP today at 202-973-0900.
Illegal Armament
Some friendships between the U.S. and other nations are tenuous already. The crime of arming vessels against friendly nations involves a U.S. resident participating in the commissioning, furnishing, fitting out, or arming of a vessel with the intention of employing it to attack a nation friendly to the United States. This can destroy the peaceful relations between the victimized nation and the U.S.
When an informer brings the criminal to court, the person who participated in illegal armament must forfeit all of the arms, furniture, building materials — everything involved — to the U.S. government. The criminal is subject to a fine as well as the possibility of spending up to three years in prison.
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Because the whistleblower helped the U.S. government, he or she is eligible for part of the forfeited material. This is called a Qui Tam case. If you believe that you have spotted a fraud against the U.S. government, you should not hesitate to consult a Qui Tam lawyer. Contact a qualified Qui Tam attorney from Tycko & Zavareei, LLP, at 202-973-0900 today to learn more about this area of law.
