Each year, both state and federal governments spend billions of dollars on contracts with private businesses, from defense contractors to construction companies, to acquire goods and services. When these contractors defraud the government to obtain undue payments or use deceit to obtain contracts, it is considered government contract fraud and is illegal under the False Claims Act. Virginia businesses are some of the top recipients of federal government contracts in the US, making government contract fraud a key concern in the state.
Whistleblowers in Virginia who report government contractors that defraud federal funds could be entitled to a significant whistleblower reward. An Arlington, Virginia government contract fraud lawyer can help you report fraud and ensure your rights are protected. If you have evidence of government contract fraud, contact the qui tam attorneys of Tycko & Zavareei LLP today for a free qui tam case evaluation. Our national law firm helps whistleblowers in Arlington and throughout the country.
What is Government Contract Fraud?
Government contract fraud occurs in any and every industry that works with government contracts, including defense, technology, infrastructure, and more. Any time a government contractor fraudulently obtains a government contract, deceives the government into paying unowed money, or provides the government with goods or services that are not in line with the agreed-upon contract, it is considered government contract fraud. Common types of fraud seen in Virginia government contract fraud lawsuits include:
- Making false or misleading statements when bidding for a government contract
- Engaging in bribery or bid-rigging to obtain a government contract
- Underbidding on contracts by misrepresenting the costs
- Providing the government with defective or substandard goods or services
- Cross-charging by moving the costs from one government contract to another
- Submitting fraudulent invoices
- Engaging in price-fixing with other government contractors
What is the False Claims Act?
The False Claims Act was enacted in 1863 to address military contractors that were supplying Union troops with defective supplies. The False Claims Act has an important component called the qui tam provision which enables private individuals to bring qui tam lawsuits against those who defraud federal funds on behalf of the government. In addition to offering whistleblowers protection from employer retaliation, the False Claims Act also incentivizes potential whistleblowers to report fraud by allowing them to receive between 15 and 30 percent of any funds recovered through the qui tam action.
How Are Arlington, Virginia Whistleblowers Protected?
Whistleblowers in Virginia are protected from retaliation under both state and federal whistleblower protection laws. Under the False Claims Act, whistleblowers cannot be fired, suspended, demoted, harassed, or otherwise discriminated against by their employer for reporting fraud.
The Virginia whistleblower law, also known as the Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act, allows Virginia whistleblowers to bring qui tam lawsuits against companies or individuals who defraud state funds. Like the False Claims Act, the Virginia whistleblower law protects qui tam relators from retaliation and allows them to receive a portion of the recovery as a whistleblower reward. For Virginia whistleblowers who work in the public sector, the Fraud and Abuse Whistleblower Protection Act offers protection from retaliation for reports regarding government agencies or their independent contractors.
If you have been retaliated against for your actions as an Arlington, Virginia government contract fraud whistleblower, you may qualify to bring a claim against your employer for reinstatement, back pay, and additional damages. Contact an Arlington whistleblower lawyer today who can explain your options.
How Can an Arlington Government Contract Fraud Lawyer Help Me?
If you are considering reporting government contract fraud, it may be in your best interest to consult with a qualified qui tam lawyer. Large government contractors may try to deny claims made against them and seek to discredit those who speak up. By hiring a whistleblower lawyer, they can help keep your identity confidential while your case is investigated, and guide you through the legal process to help improve the likelihood of a successful case.
Specifically, a government contract fraud lawyer can help by:
- Gathering key evidence to help you build a strong claim
- Ensure your qui tam lawsuit is filed under the correct whistleblower program
- Persuading the government to intervene in your case, which may increase the chances of a successful financial recovery
- Protect you from retaliation from your employer o the fullest extent of state and federal whistleblower protection laws
- Advocate for the maximum financial reward possible for your contributions as a whistleblower
Notable Virginia Government Contract Fraud Whistleblower Settlements
In 2021 alone, the Department of Justice brought in over $5.6 billion thanks to cases brought by whistleblowers under the False Claims Act. Some notable Virginia government contract fraud lawsuits include:
- 2019: The former CEO of ADS, Inc., a Virginia-based defense contractor, agreed to pay $20 million to settle allegations that the company fraudulently obtained the federal contract. In this case, there was a whistleblower reward of $3.6 million.
- 2021: Arlington-based defense contractor Airbus U.S. Defense and Space, Inc. paid over $1 million to settle over-billing claims.
- 2022: A Virginia-based information technology agreed to pay over $800,000 to resolve False Claims Act violations regarding items bought for personal and employee use and billed against its government contract.
Contact a Government Contract Fraud Lawyer
At Tycko & Zavareei LLP, our government contract fraud attorneys have decades of experience handling qui tam lawsuits at prestigious whistleblower law firms and in the Department of Justice as prosecutors. We are nationally recognized for the impact our qui tam law firm has made in helping whistleblowers bring their claims to light, and our cases have recovered over $7 billion from businesses that defraud federal funds and hurt American taxpayers.
Individuals with evidence of government contract fraud in Arlington, Virginia, could receive a significant financial reward if their whistleblower lawsuit is successful. If you have proof of fraud, contact our government contract fraud lawyers today for a free and confidential consultation.
