Posted on August 27th, 2010
Two energy companies, Dominion Resources Inc. and Marathon Oil Corp., agreed to pay $2.2 million and 4.7 million, respectively, to settled federal allegations they knowingly underpaid royalties from federal and Indian leases.
According to a statement release Friday by the United Stated Department of Justice, the two companies separately violated the False Claims Act by underpaying royalties on natural gas. The settlement resolved contentions that the pair manipulated reports to reduce royalty payments.
“We are committed to protecting public and Indian lands and to ensuring that companies with leases to take natural gas from those lands pay their fair share of royalties,” said Assistant Attorney General Tony West.
The settlements stem from a whistleblower lawsuit filed by Harold Wright. Because he is deceased, Wright’s heirs will receive a $1.8 million share of the settlement.
If you are a whistleblower with information about fraud on the government, you may be able to bring a Qui Tam lawsuit under the False Claims Act. Please contact the Qui Tam Lawyers of Tycko & Zavareei, LLP, at 202-973-0900 today.
Posted on July 8th, 2010
Tyco Electronics Corp. is the subject of a whistleblower lawsuit by a former employee who claims he was fired for revealing information about fraudulent accounting practices.
The lawsuit was filed in United States District Court in Philadelphia by Jeffrey Wiest, a manager who worked for 31 years in the company’s accounting office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Weist claims he was “constructively discharged” for providing information about Tyco’s “illegal attempts” to process payments for “extravagant parties.”
The 54 year-old Weist said he began questioning expenses that did not meet accounting standards such as a “$350,000 event being held at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas.”
Weist is seeking reimbursement for medical expenses, compensation for legal fees, pain and suffering.
If you have information that could prove useful in a fraud suit against a corporation or contractor, you may be eligible to file for a whistleblower suit under the False Claims Act. Contact the Qui Tam lawyers of Tycko & Zavareei, LLP, by calling 202-973-0900 today.
Posted on July 8th, 2010
A JPMorgan Chase employee has filed a lawsuit against the bank claiming he was discriminated against when he tried to blow the whistle on a hedge fund firm.
In a complaint filed in Connecticut state court this week, Kevin Dillion claims he tried to alert his supervisors to problems with the accounting and management practices of Highland Capital Management. According to the complaint, supervisors responded to Dillon’s complaints by giving him poor performance reviews and withholding bonuses.
The lawsuit also alleges that a JPMorgan supervisor regularly described his gun collection to Dillon and explained what he would do if anyone ever crossed him.
If you have seen abuses of the law in your company or believe that you have important information regarding fraud, it is time to speak up. Under the False Claims Act, you may have a part to play in a whistleblower qui tam lawsuit that can help regulators and tax-players to get their money back. Contact the TARP fraud lawyers of Tycko & Zavareei, LLP, at 202-973-0900 today.
Posted on February 9th, 2010
The False Claims Act does not cover cases of tax fraud. While individuals can typically receive protection under the False Claims Act for filing various types of fraud, they are not afforded such protection under this provision.
However, individuals who report tax fraud are still protected by the security of the Internal Revenue Service. When individuals suspect tax fraud, they should report it to the IRS. The IRS will then keep the individuals’ identity protected during the investigation, any legal action, and possible conviction.
If you have any questions about the protections afforded to those who report tax fraud, contact the tax fraud attorneys of Tycko & Zavareei, LLP, at 202-973-0900.
Posted on January 22nd, 2010
The United States Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, which alleged that the pharmaceutical company was guilty of paying Omnicare kickbacks.
According to court documents, the details of the case were originally uncovered whistleblower pharmacist. The pharmacist revealed that Johnson & Johnson allegedly paid Omnicare in return for the drug supplier recommending Risperdal to nursing home patients.
If you believe you have a Qui Tam case, contact the Qui Tam attorneys of Ticko & Zavareei, LLP, at 202-973-0900.
Posted on January 19th, 2010
Tax avoidance and tax fraud are sometimes used interchangeably. However, these two terms have two different meanings in terms of tax law.
Tax avoidance is the use of legal means of avoiding paying taxes. These legal means include legal tax avoidance strategies such as changing the structure of an entity or setting up a trust.
Tax fraud, on the other hand, is the use of illegal means to avoid the payment of taxes due to government entities. Tax fraud occurs in many different forms. If a company employment suspects that his or her company is committing tax fraud, that person should report the fraud to the proper authorities.
If you or anyone has questions about tax fraud, contact the tax fraud attorneys of Tycko & Zavareei, LLP, at 202-973-0900.
