When you stop your employer from stealing from the U.S.Government, the False Claims Acts of both the United States and California recognize your significant contribution to honest, decent conduct by providing major rewards – incentives for you to do what is right and to encourage citizens to come forward to protect the government from cheats and thieves.
These special lawsuits are known as qui tam actions and are encouraged by the government to uncover fraud,thefts and sharp practices by corporations and companies ripping off state and federal government. A qui tam case is brought by an individual through a private attorney, after providing the government with an opportunity to proceed directly.
Frauds and False Claims
A false claim can be selling something that is not delivered, making false reports about the quality of good, failing to properly test products, and any schemes intended to cheat, defraud or otherwise steal.
Thousands cases have been filed against businesses that rip off taxpayers, and many have been settled. Nearly $1 billion has been repaid to the U.S.Government through the efforts of honest employees, who in return have received nearly $200 million in compensation for telling the truth and stopping corporate crime and fraud.
Rewards and Incentives
Rewards paid by the government range from 10% to 30% of the recovery, providing you are the FIRST to blow the whistle. The percentage paid to the whislte blower depends upon whether the government actively participates in prosecuting the case or if the whistle blowers private attorney shoulders the burden of litigation.
The goal of the law is to uncover unknown frauds. If the fraud has already been reported, a subject of testimony before a court or legislative proceeding and is public knowledge, it does not qualify as a potential whistle blower claim.
Other Whistle Blower Rights
* No public disclosure until after a lawsuit is filed.
* If an employer seeks revenge you can sue for all your damages, and can recover punitive damages.
* Your attorney is paid only if you win.
* Attorney fees are paid by your employer.
What to Do
If you have any knowledge of a false claim being made by your employer against any agency of the government, contact an experienced law firm and arrange for a confidential telephone conference to discuss your options. DO NOT USE YOUR EMPLOYER’S EMAIL OR TELEPHONE SYSTEM TO DISCUSS MAKING A WHISTLE BLOWER CLAIM.
