Qui Tam Whistleblower Reward Attorney

The False Claims Act, a federal law that helps the government fight fraud, waste, and abuse, contains a provision authorizing qui tam lawsuits. These lawsuits allow private citizens to act as whistleblowers and present evidence of wrongdoing to federal investigators and attorneys. Importantly, whistleblowers can also request a reward from the Securities and Exchange Commission whistleblower program for successfully pursuing qui tam claims.

However, seeking a whistleblower reward is more complicated than simply telling the government you have information about misconduct. If you have evidence that someone is defrauding the government or misusing taxpayer money, you should retain an experienced qui tam whistleblower rewards attorney. Oberheiden P.C. is ready to serve you in federal court.

What Are Qui Tam Lawsuits?

The U.S. government is involved in many programs, spending hundreds of billions annually here and worldwide. The government hires full-time employees and partners with contractors in numerous industries to accomplish its various objectives. Some individuals and companies defraud or attempt to defraud the government, causing billions to be wasted every year.

Certain sectors of the economy are also subject to federal regulation. Because the government is involved in these industries, fraud committed by private actors often affects taxpayers. For example, someone who defrauds a federally insured banking establishment also cheats the government.

Cases like these are rampant, and the federal government has limited manpower and dollars to stop them. This is where a qui tam case proves invaluable. The federal False Claims Act, or FCA, permits whistleblowers to file qui tam lawsuits (which means they are filed on behalf of the government) against parties alleged to have engaged in fraud, waste, or abuse.

The purpose of these legal actions is not just to end the fraud but also to recover money that was defrauded from the government. The law allows whistleblowers (known as relators) to claim a portion of the recovered funds as a reward to incentivize individuals to step forward and file a qui tam claim.

Types of Qui Tam Lawsuits

Qui tam claims cover different matters in which the federal government has an interest in stopping fraud, waste, and abuse. Allegations that form the bases of qui tam lawsuits may include:

• Bank fraud involving federally-insured institutions
• Customs fraud such as counterfeiting, import fraud, and export fraud
• Education and financial aid fraud
• Defense contractor fraud
• Other forms of government contractor fraud
• Defrauding government programs like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
• Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, and other healthcare fraud
• Mortgage fraud
• Insurance fraud
• Kickbacks
• Pharmaceutical fraud
• Public corruption and bribery, including bribery of foreign government officials

Put our highly experienced team on your side

Dr. Nick Oberheiden

Founder

Attorney-at-Law

Lynette S. Byrd

Former DOJ Trial Attorney

Partner

Brian J. Kuester

Former U.S. Attorney

Hon. Kevin McCarthy

55th Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives (ret.)

Government Consultant

Mike Pompeo

Of Counsel

Former U.S. Secretary of State

John W. Sellers

Former Senior DOJ Trial Attorney

Linda Julin McNamara

Federal Appeals Attorney

Nicholas B. Johnson

Former Prosecutor

Roger Bach

Former Special Agent (DOJ)

Chris J. Quick

Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)

Michael S. Koslow

Former Supervisory Special Agent (DOD-OIG)

Ray Yuen

Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)

How Do I Know If I Have A Case?

Qui tam whistleblowers should have original information concerning fraud, waste, or abuse that affects government money or government-regulated entities. “Original” means the information is unknown to the government or the public. The evidence can either aid an existing government investigation or support the initiation of a new one. Either way, it should be concrete and substantial, not mere speculation or suspicion of wrongdoing.

If you have this sort of evidence, it’s important to contact an experienced whistleblower law firm before you speak with the government. We can help.

How Much Are Qui Tam Whistleblower Rewards Worth?

The amount of a qui tam whistleblower reward depends on several factors, a significant one being whether the government decides to intervene in the whistleblower lawsuit. Intervention means the government takes over the qui tam complaint and pursues the qui tam lawsuit against the parties accused of defrauding the government. The government’s decision of whether to intervene varies from one case to another but is made after it thoroughly investigates the case.

If the law enforcement agencies decide to intervene, the qui tam relator can request a reward of 15% and 25% of the money successfully recovered, whether by court verdict, judgment, or settlement. However, if the government declines to intervene, the whistleblower can ask for 25% to 30% of the funds.

Other Factors That Will Determine the Reward Amount

The government’s decision of whether to intervene is a major factor affecting the reward amount. But it is by no means the only one. To determine how much it will pay the whistleblower, the government will also consider:

• The value of the information: The more specific, credible, detailed, and substantial the information supplied, and the greater assistance it provides to the government’s enforcement action, the higher the potential reward. Your whistleblower attorney will make the strongest case possible that the information is high quality.
• The whistleblower’s assistance: Qui tam lawsuits and government investigations take much time. During this process, the government will likely request additional information, assistance, or cooperation from the whistleblower. You and your qui tam whistleblower rewards attorney will work together in the federal district court to enhance the government’s enforcement actions.
• Evidence of complicity: Some whistleblowers know about fraud, waste, and abuse because they were somehow involved. While complicity does not negate the ability to claim a whistleblower award, it usually results in lower rewards than those not involved in the wrongdoing.

Will I Suffer Retaliation For Becoming A Whistleblower?

Some individuals are reluctant to blow the whistle because of fears of retaliation from their employers. Your qui tam attorney and the federal government will keep your identity confidential as allowed by law. However, if your employer does learn of your identity, you are still protected from punishment under the whistleblower protection laws. We can help you seek legal damages if you experience job loss, discrimination, or workplace retaliation.

Contact Our Qui Tam Whistleblower Rewards Attorney

Becoming a whistleblower isn’t just about monetary rewards. It’s also a critical step in protecting taxpayers and ensuring the integrity of various institutions and industries throughout the United States. To learn more about becoming a qui tam whistleblower and how our firm can represent you, contact or call Oberheiden P.C. today.