From small businesses to large corporations, fraud exists in all industries and costs state and federal government bodies billions of dollars each year. Fraud against the government is illegal under laws like the False Claims Act and is prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice. Whistleblowers who bring forward evidence of fraud could be rewarded for their efforts in the form of financial compensation.
At Tycko & Zavareei LLP, our qui tam attorneys have represented whistleblowers across the country in shedding light on fraud and other deceitful business practices, leading to the recovery of billions of dollars. If you have proof of fraud against the federal or Pennsylvania Commonwealth government or any of their agencies, contact the whistleblower lawyers of Tycko & Zavareei LLP today for a confidential case review.
What is the False Claims Act?
The False Claims Act (FCA) was enacted to combat the defense contractor fraud that was taking place against the U.S. military. The FCA contains a qui tam provision that gives private citizens with evidence of fraud the ability to file a lawsuit against the alleged at-fault party on the government’s behalf.
As a way to incentivize individuals to come forward with evidence of fraud, whistleblowers, sometimes called qui tam relators, whose tips lead to the government successfully recovering funds may be eligible for financial compensation. The potential monetary reward can range between 15 and 30 percent of the total amount of money that is recovered.
What Types of Fraud Can a Pennsylvania Whistleblower Report?
Anytime an individual or organization pursues unwarranted funds from a federal agency or government-funded program, it is considered fraud and it is illegal. Types of fraud commonly seen in Pennsylvania whistleblower lawsuits include:
- Healthcare fraud: Fraud against Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or any other government-funded healthcare programs
- Government contractor fraud: Fraud committed by government contractors like defense contractors
- Securities, commodities, and banking fraud: In addition to the FCA, whistleblower lawsuits involving securities, commodities, and banking fraud may be filed under the SEC’s whistleblower program, the CFTC’s whistleblower program, or as a violation of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act
- Tax fraud: Tax evasion, tax fraud, and tax violations under the IRS Whistleblower Program
Can Government Employees Become Whistleblowers?
Workers in the public sector can become whistleblowers and report unlawful or unethical behavior committed by the U.S. or Pennsylvania government. Government employees who become whistleblowers are protected from employer retaliation under the Whistleblower Protection Act, meaning employers cannot take disciplinary action against workers for blowing the whistle on illegal activity. Types of violations that may be committed by government agencies include:
- Violations of laws, rules, or regulations
- Gross waste of funds
- Gross mismanagement
- Abuse of authority
- Considerable danger to public health or safety
How are Pennsylvania Whistleblowers Protected?
Both the federal FCA and other state whistleblower protection laws protect whistleblowers in Pennsylvania from retaliation by their employers for exposing illegal activity. Retaliation may refer to being fired, demoted, suspended, discriminated against, or harassed. Whistleblowers who experience retaliation from their employers have the right to file a separate lawsuit for damages they incurred as a result of the unlawful retaliation. Federal whistleblower protection laws include:
- False Claims Act: prohibits individuals and organizations from submitting false claims to the government or its agencies and protects whistleblowers who report violations from retaliation
- Sarbanes Oxley Act: protects whistleblowers who report violations regarding securities fraud, bank fraud, and SEC fraud
- Dodd-Frank Act: protects some whistleblowers who file claims regarding the SEC, CFTC, or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Whistleblower Protection Act: protects public sector employees who report fraud or other violations committed by the U.S. government.
What is the Pennsylvania Whistleblower Law?
The Pennsylvania Whistleblower Law offers additional protections to Pennsylvania qui tam relators who report fraud in the public sector. Like the FCA, the Pennsylvania Whistleblower Law gives a portion of any financial recovery to the qui tam relator who filed the claim. The Pennsylvania Whistleblower Law also protects whistleblowers from employer retaliation. Any employee who is retaliated against due to reporting fraud has the right to file a claim against their employer within 180 days of the alleged retaliation.
How Can a Whistleblower Lawyer Help Me?
If you are considering coming forward with a qui tam claim, it may be in your best interests to consult with a qualified qui tam lawyer who can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights as a whistleblower. A whistleblower attorney can help you by:
- Determining whether the evidence you bring forward justifies a qui tam lawsuit
- Filing your claim under the appropriate whistleblower program
- Persuading the government to intervene in your case, which can increase the likelihood of financial recovery
- Advocating on your behalf for the maximum financial reward for your contributions as a whistleblower if the claim is successful
- Protecting you from retaliation by your employer to the fullest extent of the law
Contact a Pennsylvania Whistleblower Attorney Today
Whistleblowers who come forward with evidence of fraud against the government or its agencies could receive a significant financial reward. The qui tam lawyers of Tycko & Zavareei LLP have decades of experience representing whistleblowers and uncovering fraudulent and unethical business practices across the country. Our whistleblower attorneys’ qui tam lawsuits have led to the recovery of billions of dollars, with some whistleblowers receiving multi-million dollar financial incentives.
If you have evidence of a business or individual committing fraud against the government or other violations of the FCA, contact the whistleblower lawyers of Tycko & Zavareei LLP today for a confidential case review.
