In the United States, private individuals who have evidence of a person or a business defrauding federal funds and report it under the False Claims Act could potentially receive a significant financial whistleblower reward for their bravery and for helping the government fight fraud. These individuals who report fraud against the government and other illegal activities are called whistleblowers and play an essential role in exposing fraud and protecting taxpayer dollars.
The attorneys of Tycko & Zavareei LLP are recognized leaders in the field of qui tam lawsuits and have helped whistleblowers nationwide recover billions of dollars in defrauded federal funds. If you have evidence of an individual or company attempting to defraud the government or any federally-funded programs, contact a Washington qui tam lawyer today for a free case review.
What is the False Claims Act?
The False Claims Act (FCA) is a federal anti-fraud law that makes it illegal for any individual or organization to file a false or misleading claim or create a false record in regard to any government program. The qui tam provision of the FCA allows whistleblowers, usually employees or former employees of the business or individual committing fraud, to bring a claim against the offender on behalf of the government. This law incentivizes whistleblowers, also known as qui tam relators, to bring qui tam claims by rewarding them with a share of any financial recovery that is made in the form of a whistleblower reward.
What is Considered Fraud in Washington?
When a person or business commits fraud and attempts to obtain undue funds from a federally-funded program by filing an intentionally false or misleading claim, misrepresenting goods or services, or otherwise misusing government and taxpayer funding, it is considered a violation of the False Claims Act. Types of fraud commonly seen in Washington qui tam lawsuits include:
- Healthcare fraud: Fraud against federally-funded healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid costs the US government and taxpayers billions of dollars each year and is the most commonly reported fraud in whistleblower lawsuits. Common examples of healthcare fraud include double billing, billing for services that are unneeded or were not provided, receiving kickbacks or illegal referrals, and marketing off-label uses of pharmaceuticals.
- Government Contractor fraud: The government works with many companies in industries like defense, construction, and technology to provide goods and services. Common types of fraud amongst contractors include deceptively receiving a government contract, shifting costs between government contracts, providing substandard goods or services, and falsifying invoices.
- Securities and Banking fraud: Fraud of federal funds amongst financial industries usually refers to mortgage fraud, Municipal or US Treasury bond fraud, the misuse of government bailout money, insider trading, and other types of securities fraud.
- Tax fraud: IRS whistleblowers play an important role in combatting tax evasion and other tax violations. Whistleblowers who report evidence of tax fraud totaling at least $2 million could potentially receive a whistleblower reward of between 15 and 30 percent of the total amount recovered under the IRS whistleblower program.
- Customs and tariffs fraud: Whistleblowers who report importers for fraudulent activity regarding customs and tariffs could qualify for a whistleblower reward. Examples include evasion of anti-dumping or AD/CVD order tariffs, creating fraudulent invoices, and more.
Other types of fraud against the government that may qualify for a qui tam claim include fraud regarding research grants, student loan fraud, and crop insurance fraud. If you have evidence of any of the above types of fraud, contact a Washington whistleblower attorney for a confidential case review.
How Are Whistleblowers Protected?
Whistleblower protection laws including the FCA and other state anti-fraud laws offer protections to whistleblowers who bravely come forward and report fraud. The FCA protects qui tam relators from retaliation from their employer, including termination, demotion, suspension, threats, harassment, and discrimination. Qui tam relators who are retaliated against by their employer may qualify to file a separate claim for damages like back pay and reinstatement.
What is the Washington Whistleblower Act?
The Washington Whistleblower Act protects workers in the public sector who report improper governmental actions. Under the Washington Whistleblower Act, improper governmental actions may include gross waste of government funds or resources, violations of federal, state, or local laws, gross mismanagement, dangers to public health or safety, and more.
How Can a Washington Qui Tam Lawyer Help Me?
If you are considering reporting fraud by filing a whistleblower lawsuit, a Washington whistleblower lawyer can help guide you through the complexities of qui tam lawsuits and protect you from retaliation from your employer to the fullest extent of whistleblower protection laws. A Washington qui tam attorney can also help you by:
- Making sure you have sufficient evidence to prove fraud
- Filing your claim with the proper documents and under the appropriate whistleblower program
- Encouraging the government to join your case
- Fighting on your behalf for the largest potential whistleblower reward for your contributions
- Protecting your identity for as long as the law allows
Contact a Washington Qui Tam Attorney
The attorneys of Tycko & Zavareei LLP are committed to protecting taxpayer funds by helping whistleblowers from across the country shed light on fraud and bad business practices. To date, our qui tam cases have resulted in the recovery of over $7 billion, including one settlement of $350 million in a case regarding illegal kickbacks. If you have evidence of fraud, contact a Washington qui tam lawyer today for a free and confidential qui tam case evaluation.
