Whistleblower Actions

Whistleblower Actions - Fighting Fraud Against the Government

Ordinary citizens are often in the best position to observe fraud against the government. The False Claims Act ("FCA"), 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 et seq., encourages the voluntary reporting of fraud by affording whistleblowers (called "relators") a share in the proceeds the government recovers.

The False Claims Act provides for a civil penalty of between $5,500 and $11,000 per false claim or other violation, plus 3 times the amount of damages that the government actually incurred. Thus, even a few instances of fraud can result in significant exposure to a government contractor or payee. In the 2013 fiscal year alone, the Department of Justice recovered $3. 8 billion in settlements and judgments from civil cases involving fraud against the federal government. Private citizens who file qui tam lawsuits under the False Claims Act are generally entitled to between 15-30% of the proceeds.

Common False Claims Act Cases Include:

Healthcare Fraud

"Off-label" marketing by pharmaceutical or medical device companies of drugs or medical devices for uses beyond those approved by the FDA
Kickbacks for the use of particular drugs or medical devices
Providing substandard or defective drugs or medical devices
Kickbacks for referrals to a particular healthcare provider
Billing for services not actually provided, or for procedures or services that were not medically necessary
Upcoding for services ultimately billed to Medicare or Medicaid
Submitting any false or fraudulent claim for payment that is at all paid by the government, whether directly or indirectly

Defense or Other Contractor Fraud

Providing defective or faulty components or equipment
Substituting materials for those of lesser quality
Failing to comply with particular contract specifications

Fraud comes in many forms. If you are aware of false or fraudulent claims for payment to the government, or other instances of fraud, contact the Marovitch Law Firm, LLC today to discuss your options.

Whistleblower Actions - Fighting Fraud Against the Government

Report Fraud Against the Government