Qui Tam Investigations
Are you aware of a false or fraudulent claim against the government?
Become a Whistleblower and Fight Fraud
If you, as an employee or outsider, know of a company that is violating the terms of its contract with the federal government, you may be able to pursue a qui tam lawsuit and ultimately recover a significant financial reward under the Federal False Claims Act (FCA).
When you file an FCA case, you are helping the United States government fight fraud, waste and abuse in its programs. Each year, hundreds of individuals file FCA cases on behalf of the government as whistleblowers. These claims are normally filed under seal, so that the information remains private and known only to law enforcement. The government thus has the opportunity to investigate the whistleblower case without revealing the whistleblower’s disclosure to the target of the investigation.
Ideally, the government intervenes in the case, meaning that it takes over the lawsuit and pursues it against the perpetrators of the fraud. Government agents and investigators can use their considerable government resources to secure a damages award or settlement, and the whistleblower is then rewarded with a payout equal to a percentage of the recovery.
The experienced team at the Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo has extensive insight into what type of information can form the basis for a successful qui tam lawsuit. Their professionals can help you develop the case, pursue investigative leads, and organize and present the evidence in a way that will appeal to government investigators. If you are aware of a false or ongoing claim being filed against the Federal Government, you should make an appointment to speak with them.
Their knowledgeable investigators will review your claim with their legal team. Then, they will give you a fair assessment of your potential reward — at no cost to you. If the prosecution of your false claims case is successful, you could receive a significant financial reward for bringing the false claim action.
False Claims Act Assessments/Suits
Federal laws and regulations require businesses and contractors to accurately complete their filings or claims with the federal government in a timely manner. Providing false or misleading claims can result in significant fines and penalties under the False Claims Act (FCA). The FCA provides that any person who knowingly submits false claims to the government can be liable for up to double the government’s damages plus a penalty of $2,000 for each false claim. The FCA has been amended several times and now provides that violators are liable for treble damages plus a penalty.
In 2021, a Department of Justice official explained the important role that whistleblowers play in preventing government fraud:
“Industry insiders are uniquely positioned to expose fraud and false claims and often risk their careers to bring these schemes to light,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Boynton. “Our efforts to protect taxpayer funds benefit from the courageous actions of these whistleblowers, and they are justly rewarded under the False Claims Act.”
That federal law enforcement official further explained:
“In 2021, the United States Justice Department obtained more than $5.6 billion in settlements and judgments from civil cases involving fraud and false claims against the government in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2021, Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division announced today. This is the second largest annual total in False Claims Act history, and the largest since 2014. Settlement and judgments since 1986, when Congress substantially strengthened the civil False Claims Act, now total more than $70 billion.”
Of the $5.6 billion in settlements and judgments reported by the government in fiscal year 2021, over $1.6 billion arose from lawsuits filed under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. During the same period, the government paid out $237 million to the individuals who exposed fraud and false claims by filing these actions.
The number of lawsuits filed under the qui tam provisions of the Act has grown significantly since 1986, with 598 qui tam suits filed this past year – an average of over 11 new cases every week.
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