Government Whistleblower Rewards Attorney

Deciding to step forward to expose fraud against the government and other illegal activity takes courage. Fortunately, this courage does not go unnoticed, since many whistleblowers are eligible to claim a reward. Not only does becoming a whistleblower save taxpayer money and ensure that individuals and businesses deal ethically with the government, it can in some cases even save lives and protect national security.

Individuals with valuable information should speak to an experienced whistleblower attorney before sharing what they know with the government. Doing so can result in whistleblower protections, like protecting their privacy, shielding them from workplace retaliation, and helping win the highest possible whistleblower financial rewards. Speak to the legal team at Oberheiden P.C. to get started with your claim today.

What To Know Before Blowing the Whistle

The federal government is massive, and it simply does not have the staff or budget to guarantee that every relationship with contractors or interaction with the private sector is devoid of fraud. But the costs of fraud go far beyond the billions in taxpayer dollars that are ripped off from government programs each year. Actual lives and safety can be put in jeopardy. For instance, fraud committed by defense contractors may put troops in imminent danger.

To combat this, the government relies heavily on whistleblowers sharing what they know and providing evidence that leads to prosecutions and civil actions being pursued against the wrongful parties. That does not mean, however, that becoming a whistleblower is as simple as tipping off someone who works for the government. While every government whistleblower program is different, there are at least three elements that must be present in each case for a whistleblower to claim a whistleblower award:

• The information should be original: “Original” information is, generally, something the government does not already know. If the media has previously reported on it, or another whistleblower has already shared it, the information most likely won’t be original. The strongest whistleblower claims (but not the only ones) arise out of cases in which one individual has evidence of wrongdoing that nobody else knows about yet.
• The information should lead to successful enforcement actions: Next, the information should actually be useful and facilitate the government’s enforcement of rules and regulations. The government does not always directly enforce the law. There are some whistleblower cases in which private citizens file claims against fraudulent parties on behalf of the government. Government agencies may or may not intervene, which affects the amount of the reward that the plaintiff (called a relator) can claim.
• The whistleblower should cooperate with the government: Blowing the whistle is not something that immediately ends fraudulent activity. The government must investigate the parties involved, a process which could take months. During that time, the government may contact the whistleblower and request further cooperation. Working with the government helps end the fraud, which supports a claim for a larger reward.

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 Much of a Reward Can I Request?

Each government whistleblower differs, but as a general rule, whistleblowers can claim between 10% and 30% of the net proceeds over $1 million that the government is able to recover. Your attorney can explain the rules and reward percentages of the specific program under which your claim falls. Your lawyer will also negotiate for the highest possible reward amount.

Common Examples of Government Whistleblower Programs

These are a few of the most common whistleblower programs for which individuals can be rewarded for providing original information to the government:

• False Claims Act: The qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act allow relators to alert the government to fraudulent claims that are presented for payment to the government. An example of a false claim is a contractor who submits an invoice for services that were never rendered.
• Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC): The CFTC protects the U.S. derivatives markets from fraud and manipulation. Exposing regulatory violations and illegal activities that affect these markets may qualify someone for a reward.
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)/Dodd-Frank: The SEC enforces regulations concerning investments and securities, along with the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. Insider trading, Ponzi schemes, and certain types of corporate fraud are likely to fall into this category.
• Department of Defense (DOD)/Defense Contractors: Defense contractors work with the DOD to provide supplies and equipment to American troops, along with services like security. When fraud is committed in this sector, the lives of troops and civilians may be harmed.
• Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN): The mission of FinCEN is to prevent money laundering and other financial abuses that aid terrorist and organized criminal organizations. Evidence related to financial crimes will likely qualify for a FinCEN whistleblower reward.
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The FDA regulates common consumer items that include food, prescription medications, medical devices, and cosmetics. There are strict requirements that apply to these products to ensure their safety and quality.
• Medicare and Medicaid: As two of the largest government programs, Medicare and Medicaid are frequent targets for fraudsters. Overbilling, billing for unnecessary medical services, and receiving kickbacks to prescribe medications are just a few problems.

Retaining an Attorney For Your Government Whistleblower Claim

Our law firm has worked with countless individuals to expose fraud and wrongdoing across a diverse array of government agencies and programs like the ones listed above. We can help with:

• Reviewing your information to ensure it is eligible for a whistleblower reward
• Selecting the best whistleblower program that matches the information you have
• Submitting the necessary paperwork and evidence to the government
• Handling all communications with the government and its lawyers
• Protecting your confidentiality and privacy to the extent allowed by law (not all programs allow anonymous reporting)
• Defending you against employer retaliation
• Negotiating for the highest possible whistleblower reward

Contact Our Government Whistleblower Rewards Attorney

Let the experienced whistleblower law firm of Oberheiden P.C. manage all aspects of your government whistleblower claim. Call or fill out our online contact form to set up your confidential consultation today.