If you witnessed fraud in Oakland, CA or suspect that your employer has been misappropriating government funds, you need an expert legal team by your side. Speaking up about the truth is the right thing to do. However, many whistleblowers hesitate to come forward due to concerns about protecting their professional reputation, the possibility of becoming embroiled in a long legal process, and fear of employer retaliation after exposing their company for fraud.
An Oakland whistleblower lawyer can support you throughout the entirety of the disclosure, investigatory, and legal processes. The lawyers of Tycko & Zavareei LLP are qui tam experts who have successfully represented California clients in winning whistleblower payouts, protected their privacy as much as possible, and insulated their professional reputations. If you suspect you may be able to report fraud taking place in Oakland, California whistleblower law is on your side. Contact the law offices of Tycko & Zavareei LLP for a complimentary case evaluation to find out how we can help you today.
Oakland Whistleblower Lawyer Case Types
The following represent common areas of fraud that Oakland whistleblowers can report for a potential reward:
Healthcare Fraud
Healthcare fraud accounts for at least three percent of total healthcare expenditures nationally. Some fraud tracking agencies estimate that about 10 percent of the national healthcare budget is lost to fraud and abuse annually. Fraud accounts for billions of dollars in losses for American taxpayers and hurts scores of patients who are vulnerable to wasteful and abusive medical practices.
If you have witnessed healthcare fraud in the Oakland area, do not wait to speak up. You may be able to collect significant financial compensation as a reward for your information, as well as protect the many Californians who rely upon public services for healthcare.
Learn More: Healthcare Fraud FAQs
Securities Fraud
Instances of securities fraud may go unnoticed without insider information and whistleblowers’ bravery. Many different kinds of market manipulation can be considered securities fraud under federal and state laws. Ponzi schemes, pyramid schemes, pump and dump schemes, and late-day trading are all examples of illegal market manipulation that can be reported to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in exchange for a whistleblower reward.
A qui tam attorney can help you understand whether the action that you witnessed in Oakland is eligible for reporting to the SEC Whistleblower Program and how you can best remain anonymous throughout the process of your protected disclosure.
Learn More: Securities Fraud FAQs
Commodities Fraud
Exports in California account for nearly 10 percent of total US exports, making it one of the 10 largest economies in the world. Unfortunately, this means there are plenty of opportunities for commodities fraud in Oakland and the surrounding areas. If you have reason to suspect your Oakland employer is perpetrating commodities fraud, or if you yourself have been victimized by a commodities scam, you may be able to report it to a qualified firm of qui tam lawyers.
Learn More: Commodities Fraud FAQs
Banking Fraud
California banking accounts for around $39.6 billion in direct output to the state economy, according to a recent report from the California Bankers’ Association. About $27.2 billion is added in indirect output value, making the economic value of banking in California up to $67 billion. Because of this immense value, when banking executives and employees in Oakland act dishonestly, their actions may have a ripple effect on both the state and national economy. Reporting banking scams, such as predatory lending practices and mortgage fraud, can help protect not only taxpayer funds, but also the economy.
If you have information about banking fraud taking place in Oakland, contact a whistleblower lawyer today. Under the False Claims Act, the SEC Whistleblower Program, and the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA), your information may be worth a substantial reward.
Learn More: Banking Fraud FAQs
Customs and Tariffs Fraud
Certain imports to California are subject to a customs duty, usually a percentage of the “total purchased value of the article(s) paid at a foreign country.” Purposely failing to report imports in order to avoid paying the amount owed to the government constitutes fraud. Our qui tam law firm can advise you on what to do if you become aware of customs and tariffs fraud in Oakland, as well as how to protect and insulate yourself from potential liability.
Learn More: Customs and Tariffs Fraud FAQs
Tax Fraud
Tax fraud is not always a simple mistake. Companies that attempt to cheat the system in order to avoid paying a fair share of state or federal taxes is a kind of fraud.
If you have information that can lead to a successful recovery of unpaid or underpaid taxes in Oakland, CA, you may be able to receive thousands, if not millions of dollars as a whistleblower reward. In the event of tax non-compliance exceeding $2 million, whistleblowers can receive a reward through the IRS Whistleblower Program. For more information about reporting this and other kinds of fraud in Oakland, contact our qui tam attorneys.
Learn More: Tax Fraud FAQs
Government Contracts Fraud
Government contracts in Oakland may involve vital infrastructure such as bridges and highways, defense services, and more. When government contractors misreport the quality of their work, use shoddy materials, hide cybersecurity breaches, and more, they may be in violation of the False Claims Act for misappropriating government finds.
Learn More: Government Contracts Fraud FAQs
Other Government Programs Fraud
Grants, Oakland school funding, environmental impact reporting, and more may all be subject to the California False Claims Act. If government funding is involved and information has been intentionally concealed or misreported, contact a qui tam fraud lawyer immediately.
Learn More: Government Programs Fraud FAQs
Who Can be an Oakland Whistleblower?
Oakland whistleblowers can be anyone who is in possession of original, previously unreported information about fraud and misappropriation of government funds. You do not have to be a US citizen or a California resident to report fraud in Oakland.
Most often, whistleblowers are employees of companies that are perpetrating wrongdoing. However, you do not have to work at the company that is acting fraudulently in order to share your information and qualify for a whistleblower reward. Other Oakland whistleblowers may be competitors in the same field or other businesses who have bid for similar government contracts and know when something seems off with their peers’ bidding processes. You may be a concerned Oakland environmentalist who comes across concealed environmental impact reports, or a patient who sees an Oakland doctor. Oakland homeowners may be able to report on banking or mortgage fraud, just as an Oakland hospital worker may come across mislabeled Medi-Cal claims.
All of these people, and more, may qualify to file an Oakland qui tam lawsuit with a whistleblower lawyer’s help. Most whistleblower laws require you to have an attorney when reporting fraud against the state of federal government.
When Should I Contact an Oakland Whistleblower Lawyer?
It is important to contact a qui tam attorney immediately after learning of fraud in Oakland. Certain kinds of fraud carry a statute of limitations of three to 10 years in California, as well as federally.
The most important factor in whistleblower cases other than time is uniqueness. It is imperative that no one else has already brought a case using the same information you intend to report, because once information has been reported, it becomes ineligible for a whistleblower reward. Waiting to come forward may also lead to incurred liability in the overall scheme. Potential Oakland qui tam relators can miss out on receiving a reward or even whistleblower protections if they wait too long to share their knowledge of fraud.
What Evidence Do I Need to Bring an Oakland Whistleblower Case?
The evidence that your whistleblower lawyers will ask you to provide will vary depending on the facts of your Oakland fraud case, as well as your position as a whistleblower. For instance, a CEO or high-ranking employee in a financial firm may be able to make allegations of insider trading with less documentation than a single insurance adjuster at a large hospital who becomes suspicious of unnecessary procedures being ordered for patients.
That being said, there are many kinds of proof that may help qualify you to receive an Oakland whistleblower reward. For instance, employee manuals and training handbooks can help establish best practices and illustrate what processes were violated in the event of fraud. Emails and text messages can help pinpoint rings of collaborators, while in-office presentations can help provide key data.
Gathering evidence should always be done under the advice of legal counsel and with a specific purpose in mind. Some kinds of documentation is not admissible in court, for example, and may even lead to civil and criminal penalties against a potential whistleblower. For instance, in California, it is illegal to record a phone call without consent from all parties. California-specific “anti-paparazzi” statutes also prohibit trespassing on private property with the express intent of taking photographs. Because of these limitations, an Oakland whistleblower attorney should always be consulted before you attempt to gather proof on your own for a qui tam case.
State Qui Tam Laws & Oakland Whistleblower Protections
In Oakland qui tam cases, whistleblowers are protected by several state and federal statutes against employer retaliation. Specifically, whistleblowers in Oakland are protected against retaliation by the following statutes:
- California False Claims Act: Similar to its federal counterpart in that different areas of government contracting fraud, not just Medicare/Medicaid, are reportable for a reward.
- Federal False Claims Act: One of the most powerful anti-fraud laws currently in place across the nation, the federal False Claims Act makes false claims to the government punishable by up to treble damages and individual financial penalties linked to inflation rates. Federal whistleblowers are also able to sue for reinstatement, double back pay with interest, possible front pay, and applicable legal fees and costs in the event of retaliation.
- California Whistleblower Protection Act: This Act protects state employees who blow the whistle on fraud in their respective industries. Whistleblowers are protected under this law against employer retaliation and may seek reinstatement, double back pay with interest, and applicable attorney’s fees, legal costs, and other damages in the event that their employer does retaliate against them for blowing the whistle on fraud.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act: The federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act was passed in 2002 in the wake of the Enron scandal and subsequent collapse. The Act protects employees of publicly-traded companies who report on fraud that harms investors. Under Sarbanes-Oxley, any publicly-traded company that retaliates against an employee who helps law enforcement officials investigate an offense can now be criminalized under the obstruction of justice statute. Fraud against shareholders is reportable under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as mail fraud, banking fraud, wire fraud, securities fraud, and violations of SEC regulations.- The Dodd-Frank Act: Created a private right of action to give whistleblowers who have been retaliated against the opportunity to file a complaint in federal court. The Dodd-Frank Act protects whistleblowers who have reported possible financial fraud under the SEC Whistleblower program. Receiving double back pay with interest from your employer, reinstatement, and additional fees and damages are all possible outcomes when you file a lawsuit under the Dodd-Frank Act.
- Labor Code 1102.5 LC: According to the California Labor Code, any California employee has the right to disclose information that they have “reasonable cause to believe” is related to fraud on the federal, state, or local level with 1) a government agency; 2) a person with authority over the employee; 3) another employee with authority to investigate the violation; and 4) any public body conducting an investigation or hearing.
- Health & Safety Code 1278.5: The California Health and Safety Code provides protections to whistleblowers specific to the field of healthcare. According to the statute, discrimination or retaliation against a patient, employee, member of the medical staff, or any other health care worker of the health facility who contributes to or initiates an investigation about the quality of care, services, or conditions at a healthcare facility is prohibited by law. Violations may be subject to a fine of up to $75,000. Oakland healthcare whistleblowers who have been discriminated against are entitled to a jury trial under this statute, as well as possible reinstatement with back pay and other benefits. However, it is important to note that disclosures relating to the state of care at correctional, detention, and long-term care facilities are covered by other state statutes, and not by California Health & Safety Code 1278.5.
Is there a Reward for Whistleblowing?
Oakland whistleblowers may be able to receive anywhere from 15 to 30 percent of an overall reward in the event of a successful qui tam case. Reward totals may be reduced if a whistleblower is found partially liable for the fraud, such as if they helped plan or knowingly carried out the scheme.
Cases where the federal or state government intervene in the investigation tend to have a higher success rate, as well as a higher overall payout. For this reason, it is important to have a solid case before sharing your suspicions with the Department of Justice. However, in instances where the government declines to intervene in a case, an Oakland whistleblower may be rewarded the highest possible percentage if their information still leads to recovered funds.
Whistleblower Lawyer Near Me
Looking for a whistleblower lawyer in the Oakland area? Tycko & Zavareei LLP has long been invested in the Oakland community. Our Oakland qui tam law office is located in Downtown Oakland below the Paramount Theatre, not far from Snow Park and Lake Merritt. With convenient parking, the office is also accessible via the 12th Street / Oakland subway station.
To visit the law office of Tycko & Zavareei LLP in Oakland, find us at 1970 Broadway – Suite 1070. We can also be reached by telephone at (510)-254-6808.
Choosing an Oakland Whistleblower Law Firm
There are many important factors to consider when selecting an Oakland qui tam law firm. If you are sharing insider information that refers to your career, you want to be sure that you have a professional, discrete, and experienced law firm by your side. The right whistleblower lawyer can set your case up for success, just as someone with inexperience in the complex field of qui tam law may not be able to follow through on your claim. Remember, once information has been reported, it becomes ineligible for a reward, so hiring the right whistleblower lawyer from the start can make or break your case.
Some factors to consider when sorting through Oakland whistleblower attorneys include:
- Previous experience and expertise in your industry and trade
- Past track record of success with qui tam cases
- Connections to the Department of Justice, SEC officials, or state investigators who will need to be briefed about your evidence and claim
- Education level of the attorney
- Size of firm relative to amount of clients
The Oakland office of Tycko & Zavareei LLP features top graduates of some of the best schools in the country. We are ready to serve the community in Oakland to the very best of our ability. We offer discrete consultations with expert qui tam attorneys who have a proven track record of success. If you have questions about your potential Oakland qui tam case, please do not hesitate to reach out today.
Oakland Whistleblower Lawyer: FAQs
The following represent questions that are frequently asked of our whistleblower lawyers in Oakland:
Can I file an Oakland whistleblower lawsuit using information I learned from a public source?
Public source reporting is not always eligible for making a qui tam claim. For this reason, it is important to speak up about information you may have about fraud as soon as you uncover it. Once information has been reported by a radio station, on the internet, or via any other news source, it is usually no longer eligible for a whistleblower reward.
However, in certain areas, such as under the SEC Whistleblower Program, previously reported information can be admissible if it substantively contributes to a case and has not yet been considered as evidence. When in doubt, consult with an Oakland qui tam lawyer to ensure that your suspicions do not go unanswered. There are instances where an independent assessment of publicly available information can still lead to a whistleblower reward.
If someone has filed a whistleblower case revealing the same fraudulent activity, can I still bring a case?
If a case has already been brought against a company or an individual in the Oakland area, you may still be able to report your own information and receive a whistleblower reward. As long as your information is separate from the initial disclosure that launched the investigation and still substantively contributes to a recovery, you may be considered a whistleblower even in an already existing case.
What if I can’t afford an Oakland whistleblower attorney?
Our Oakland whistleblower attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means that our law office will cover the legal costs of filing the qui tam case, as well as waive our hiring fee until the end of the process. Our firm is paid a percentage of your whistleblower reward in the event of a successful case, so our services come at no out-of-pocket cost to you.
However, not all whistleblower attorneys in Oakland offer equally competitive terms. It is important to consider the success rate and contingency terms of any whistleblower law firm you may want to work with to file your Oakland qui tam claim.
Can Oakland employers retaliate against whistleblowers?
Oakland employers may try to take disciplinary action against a whistleblower, but doing so is prohibited by state and federal law. If you have been discriminated against, harassed, had your pay or hours reduced, or been let go as a result of your protected fraud disclosure, you may be able to sue your employer for reinstatement. You may also be able to receive double back pay, possible front pay, legal fees, such as the cost of hiring an attorney and filing your claim, as well as separate damages from your former employer. An Oakland whistleblower lawyer can advise you on which statutes best cover your situation and what legal recourse may be available to you.
Are there time limits for bringing a qui tam case?
When filing a qui tam action, California offers a long statute of limitations that can reach up to 10 years since the fraud was committed and may, in some cases, even be extended. However, in certain cases, a claim may only be brought within three years of the date of discovery.
As soon as you find out that fraud is, or may be, taking place, act immediately. Speak to an Oakland fraud attorney and find out your legal options. Don’t wait and allow vital evidence to be hidden or destroyed, your reward percentage to be reduced or negated by another whistleblower’s disclosure, or yourself to be implicated in the crime by waiting to report.
Do I need an attorney to file a qui tam lawsuit?
The California Attorney General recommends that anyone with information about ongoing fraud consult with a qualified law office and file their claim through a qui tam attorney. Qui tam law is a complicated field that often involves a crossover of state and federal statutes. Working with a qui tam firm can help protect your own anonymity and limit the possibility of retaliation.
What types of fraud are covered by the California False Claims Act?
The California False Claims Act covers more than just healthcare fraud. Banking fraud, securities and commodities fraud, environmental fraud, grant and government programs fraud, contractor fraud, and more are all considered reportable under the state statute. Additionally, local government and municipal funds are also included in the anti-fraud law – not just state funding. Any kind of attempt to defraud a municipal or state government agency in Oakland may be covered by the California False Claims Act. Separate attempts to defraud federal funds can be covered by the federal False Claims Act, the SEC Whistleblower Program, or other federal statutes.
Can a group of Oakland whistleblowers come together to file a claim?
Yes, a group of Oakland whistleblowers may file their claim together and split a possible reward. Work with an Oakland qui tam attorney to ensure that every person is covered fairly in the event of a joint filing.
Can I remain anonymous as an Oakland whistleblower?
Filing your claim through an Oakland qui tam firm will help you remain anonymous for as long as possible, as your claim will be filed through the firm and not through you directly as an individual. Whistleblowers’ anonymity is protected against most kinds of requests, including Freedom of Information Act requests. However, your identity may need to be revealed in some component of the legal proceeding after the initial investigation is over. Working with a qui tam law firm is your best possible chance of remaining anonymous for as long as possible as an Oakland whistleblower.
Why should I come forward with information about fraud against the government?
Speaking up about fraud is the right thing to do for a variety of reasons. As a whistleblower, you help hold scammers accountable for siphoning public funds. You help recover taxpayer money that can then be appropriately spent where it will do the most good. You protect older and vulnerable Californians, as well as your Oakland neighbors who rely on public services like roads, bridges, schools, and healthcare. You can also protect yourself against retaliation by a corrupt employer and safeguard your own career path when you find yourself working for a fraudulent company. Finally, you can win yourself a large financial reward and rest easy knowing you have done the right thing.
Are You Aware of Fraud? Talk to an Oakland Whistleblower Attorney
Speaking up about fraud can feel daunting, but with the right law firm by your side, it doesn’t have to be. The Oakland law firm of Tycko & Zavareei LLP has represented many Californians who came forward to report fraud with enormous success. From valuable disclosures to significant settlements, our legal experts have helped Californians just like you do the right thing for themselves, as well as for the greater Oakland community.
If you have information about fraud in Oakland, CA, whether it involves the fields of healthcare, finance, government contracting, environmental protections, or something else, do not wait to come forward. The Oakland office of Tycko & Zavareei LLP is ready and available to discuss the specifics of your case during a free and confidential consultation. Find out how we can help you help others, as well as yourself, in the event of Oakland area fraud.
