Virginia offers strong protections for whistleblowers who come forward to report government contract fraud. Attempts to misappropriate taxpayer funds are prohibited by both Virginia law and federal law. There are several statutes that incentivize reporting government contract fraud, including those that allow for whistleblowers to collect significant financial rewards.
If you have information about government contract fraud in Virginia, do not wait to come forward with the truth. Reporting fraud is the right thing to do. It can conserve valuable public funds, ensure that Americans receive quality services, and help make the government work the way that it should. Speaking up can also protect you from retaliation perpetrated by corrupt employers, remove yourself from the risk of liability for wrongdoing, and entitle you a percentage of the total amount recovered.
While some people may hesitate to become whistleblowers over concerns about employer retaliation, speaking to qualified Virginia government contract fraud attorneys can help you explore your options. A consultation about the facts of your situation is complimentary and confidential. Contact the law firm of Tycko & Zavareei LLP today to assess your situation. Our expert qui tam lawyers can help protect your own interests as a whistleblower while doing the right thing.
Blowing the Whistle on Government Contract Fraud in Virginia
Coming forward as a whistleblower in Virginia usually means filing a qui tam lawsuit in either federal or Virginia state court. A qui tam lawsuit is a specific area of law that gives average people the opportunity to claim a financial award in cases of government contract fraud, Medicaid/Medicare fraud, and other attempts to illegally draw down government funds or make false claims.
In qui tam law, the relator (whistleblower) sues on behalf of the government, who is the wronged party. The Department of Justice may help with the investigation alongside your qui tam attorney. In the event of a successful case, qui tam law allows whistleblowers the opportunity to be paid anywhere from 15 to 30 percent of the total settlement.
Who Can Become a Virginia Government Contract Fraud Whistleblower?
Whistleblowers are often employees at companies where fraud is taking place. They may have inside knowledge of the specifics of government contracts, as well as an understanding of industry standards. This kind of insight can help them detect fraud and system abuse that would otherwise go unreported.
You do not have to work at a company where fraud is taking place to become a whistleblower, however. Sometimes, whistleblowers in cases of government contract fraud are competitors in the industry or other people with knowledge of the area.
Federal False Claims Act
Most qui tam cases are governed by the federal False Claims Act. This law, also known as the Lincoln Law, was first passed to combat early defense contractor fraud during the American Civil War. Today, it can be used to defend all kinds of government contracts in all areas of civil service and military spending.
According to the False Claims Act, a whistleblower is eligible to receive up to 30 percent of the government’s total recovery in the event of a successful case. Those who are found to have made false claims to the federal government may be held liable for treble damages linked to each individual false claim and also assessed for separate financial penalties. The amount of these penalties is linked to national rates of inflation.
The law also protects whistleblowers against retaliation from their employers. Specifically, firing, demoting, suspending, or harassing a whistleblower is prohibited. Doing so may open your employer to more legal penalties, including backpay, damages, and attorneys’ fees.
Virginia False Claims Act
Virginia law also governs cases of false claims made to the state or local governments. The Virginia False Claims statute allows for a civil penalty between $10,957 and $21,916, plus treble damages per violation. These amounts are also linked by law to the federal False Claims Act and any effect that inflation has on that over-arching statute.
Common Examples of Government Fraud in Virginia
Some common examples of government contract fraud include, but are not limited to:
- Failure to deliver products or services outlined in government contracts or agreements
- Delivering substandard products or services, or cutting corners to increase profit
- Underbidding on government contracts
- Giving payments or bribes to government employees
- Failing to maintain adequate cybersecurity practices as a government contractor
Recent Developments in Virginia Government Contract Fraud Settlements
One recent case of Virginia government contract fraud involved an information technology service provider who not only improperly reported luxury purchases with government contract funds, but also gave those goods to government employees in order to continue incentivizing a lasting relationship. Some of these improper purchases, which were billed against government military contracts, included sporting event tickets and new electronics. The Arlington company agreed to pay $800,000 in order to resolve the allegations.
In another case, a Culpeper company that rents and leases bridge access and inspection equipment to engineering companies and the government agreed to pay $137,500 under the False Claims Act after concerns arose that they paid another Virginia-based company to forge inspection certificates for their gear. The case was opened after a Virginia workplace fatality that incited an OSHA investigation.
These kinds of cases illustrate some of the reasons why reporting government contract fraud is so important. Government contractors often perform essential civil services, such as infrastructure inspections or utility maintenance. They also contract with the military to keep those in service abroad and at home safe. Reporting government contract fraud in Virginia can help ensure that the services provided are of the promised caliber and that taxpayer money is being well-spent.
Becoming a Government Contract Fraud Whistleblower in Virginia
Information must be previously unreported to be eligible for a reward in qui tam law. The number one mistake that whistleblowers make is waiting to come forwards with their suspicions. By that time, they may be implicated themselves in the fraud perpetrated by their company, or miss out on claiming the award that is associated with a successful qui tam case.
If you have information about government contract fraud in Virginia, contact the law firm of Tycko & Zavareei LLP today. Our experienced attorneys can help you through the process of reporting fraud and follow up on all of the details involved. We can also ensure that any kinds of proof you provide are legal and eligible to be shared with an investigation. Hiring a Virginia qui tam attorney can help you protect your own interests and ensure the strongest possible eligibility for receiving an award.
You can work with our qui tam firm on a contingency basis. This means that our team takes no payment upfront and only receives a percentage out of the final settlement once your case is won. This ensures we advocate hard for the highest possible payout for you as a whistleblower, while also staying committed to the case, no matter how long federal or state investigations may take.
The qui tam experts at Tycko & Zavareei LLP have recovered hundreds of thousands of taxpayer funds that have been stolen by corrupt contractors. If you have information that could qualify you to become a Virginia whistleblower, our team is ready to support you in doing the right thing today.
