For as long as America has been an independent nation, individuals and companies have done business with the federal government. Unfortunately, a significant percentage of individuals and companies who secure government contracts at both the federal and state levels, or have some other business dealings with a government agency, commit fraud against that agency and/or government.
This fraud can happen at any level of government and costs American taxpayers billions of dollars every year. Any time an individual makes false claims or misrepresents their business in an intentional attempt to illegally obtain unearned funds, fraud has occurred.
To fight against fraud, the federal government and California’s state government have enacted legislation that gives whistleblowers the power to report wrongdoing when they see it. These laws are designed to protect whistleblowers and even offer a financial reward to the brave individuals who speak up against fraud.
To see how the relevant laws can help in your case, contact a qualified San Jose whistleblower and False Claims Act lawyer. A good lawyer will be able to examine the facts of your case and determine what to do with the information in your possession. If the attorneys at Tycko & Zavareei LLP think you have a valid whistleblower case, they can help file your lawsuit and represent you throughout the entire process.
What Laws Govern San Jose Whistleblowers?
The False Claims Act (FCA) was originally enacted during the Civil War to prevent government contractors from scamming the federal government out of much needed money. Since then, it has been updated and is now the law governing fraud and whistleblowers.
At the state level, the California False Claims Act offers protections and provisions for whistleblowers who report fraud that is occurring against state and local governments.
Who Can be a Whistleblower?
An important provision in both the federal False Claims Act and its California counterpart is what is known as the “qui tam” provision, which allows ordinary citizens to bring lawsuits against individuals and companies suspected of fraud on behalf of the government. While it is often employees who work at companies where fraud is taking place, any person who posses valid evidence of fraud can bring a qui tam case and become a whistleblower.
What Protections do San Jose Whistleblowers Have?
Blowing the whistle on fraud is a challenging and brave thing to do. Government officials know this as well as anyone. The fear of retaliation and reprisal is very real and might keep people from sharing information about fraud and wrongdoing.
This is why both the federal and California FCAs offer protections for whistleblowers. This includes protection against employer retaliation, such as:
- Demotion
- Having hours or pay reduced
- Harassment
- Discrimination
- Suspension
- Termination
In addition, a whistleblower’s employer cannot withhold things like promotions or raises that they would have otherwise given had the employee not blown the whistle on fraud.
If you have been retaliated against by your employer because you made the brave decision to blow the whistle on fraud, you may file a separate claim for damages. If you haven’t blown the whistle yet but are planning to, a skilled whistleblower attorney can help protect you from employer retaliation.
Is there a Reward for Blowing the Whistle in San Jose?
Another important component of the federal and California FCAs is the financial reward provision. In order to incentivize individuals to blow the whistle on fraud, the government offers a percentage of the money recovered as a reward.
For the federal False Claims Act, a whistleblower can receive between 15 and 30 percent of any funds the government recovers with their information. This can be a substantial amount of money, as whistleblower case recoveries can sometimes number in the millions of dollars.
How Can a San Jose Whistleblower Lawyer Help?
Whistleblower law, like any law governing interactions with the federal or state governments and federal or state funds, can be overly complex. There are reporting requirements, filing deadlines, and other important stipulations that all need to be adhered to.
Because of the intricate nature of whistleblower cases, it may be in your best interest to contact a qualified San Jose whistleblower and False Claims Act lawyer. A good attorney will know what to look for in your case and be able to advise you what you should do next.
At Tycko & Zavareei LLP, we offer a free and confidential case evaluation so you can have your case examined risk-free. If we decide to represent you in your fight against fraud, we work on a contingency basis, meaning we only accept payment if we help you successfully recover compensation in your case.
Contact a San Jose Whistleblower and False Claims Act Attorney Today
At Tycko & Zavareei LLP, we have represented clients from all over the country who have decided to take a stand against fraud. Our legal team has done their best to make sure each case is put before the proper authorities and that each client is protected from workplace retaliation for blowing the whistle on fraud.
We have also helped the government recover millions of dollars and made sure our clients are fairly rewarded for their bravery.
We would be glad to take a look at your case and see if you should blow the whistle on fraud in your workplace. If you think you have witnessed or have valid evidence of fraud, contact Tycko & Zavareei LLP today.
