What types of fraud are covered by the False Claims Act?

The False Claims Act prohibits the making or presentation of a “false or fraudulent claim” for money to the United States Government. Therefore, the False Claims Act potentially covers all types of false or fraudulent statements made by a company or individual to the government for the purposes of obtaining money from the government. The False Claims Act also prohibits the making of false statements or records intended “to conceal, avoid, or decrease an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the Government.” For a more detailed discussion of the types of fraud that have been the subject of False Claims Act lawsuits, click here. The False Claims Act has a number of specific exceptions, the most important of which is an exception for tax fraud. However, a separate law covers tax fraud, and also provides for monetary rewards to those who report large tax fraud schemes.

For more information on fraudulent acts covered by the False Claims Act, contact the qui tam attorneys of Tycko & Zavareei, LLP today at 202-973-0900.