The Department of Justice has announced its False Claims Act statistics for the government’s fiscal year, which ended on September 30, 2008. According to the press release, the federal government obtained $1.34 billion in settlements and judgment from False Claims Act cases during the fiscal year, bringing the total since 1986 to more than $21 billion. The $1.34 billion for 2008 actually understates total False Claims Act recoveries because it does not include monies that went to state governments or to qui tam relators. But even so, it’s a staggering sum of money, and amply demonstrates the scope of fraud committed against the government, and why the False Claims Act is such an important law.
If you are interested in a more general background discussion of the False Claims Act, click here.