What To Do If You Suspect Your Employer Is Cheating the Government

You should talk with an attorney and consider filing a whistleblower lawsuit. Another name for a lawsuit brought by a whistleblower is qui tam. The term qui tam is short for “qui tam pro domino rege quam pro sic ipso in hoc parte sequitur,” which, in Latin, means “who as well for the king as well for himself sues in this matter.”

Qui tam cases are brought by private individuals who are suing on behalf of the federal government charging fraud against government contractors and others who receive government funds. If successful, the government gets its money back and the individual bringing the action receives a portion of the recovery amount.

These actions are authorized by the Federal Civil False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. Sec. 3729. Private individuals are, in essence, authorized to act as private attorneys general. The False Claims Act was passed in 1863 and has been called Lincoln’s Law, the Informer’s Act, or Qui Tam statute. In 1986 it was strengthened to make it easier and more beneficial for private individuals to file suit.

Today, many states and the District of Columbia, and the city of Chicago all have their own false claims statutes that allow them to recover money at the state and local level. The states now have false claims statutes include:

• California
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Louisiana
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Montana
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• Nevada
• Oklahoma
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia
• Wisconsin

To find out about filing a Qui Tam suit, see Filing a Whistleblower or Qui Tam Action.

For a brief overview of the qui tam lawsuits, see Qui Tam Lawsuits Involve Any Form of Fraud against the Government.

Click here to find a Qui Tam attorney.

Case Studies: What To Do If You Suspect Your Employer Is Cheating the Government

Case Study 1: John Doe vs. Company

John Doe had been working diligently as a project manager for a government contractor known as “TechWorks Inc.” for several years. Over time, he started noticing irregularities in the billing and invoicing practices while working on a federal infrastructure project. Suspicion grew as he witnessed inflated charges, duplicated expenses, and deliberate overbilling to the government.

Fearing the consequences of staying silent, John decided to take action and seek legal advice. After consulting with a knowledgeable attorney, he learned about the qui tam provision under the Federal Civil False Claims Act. This provision allows private individuals to file lawsuits on behalf of the government to recover funds lost due to fraud.

With the guidance of his attorney, John filed a qui tam lawsuit against TechWorks Inc. and presented the evidence he had gathered during his tenure with the company. The case underwent thorough investigation by federal authorities, and it was discovered that TechWorks Inc. had indeed been cheating the government out of significant funds.

As a result of John’s courageous actions, the government successfully recovered the ill-gotten funds, and TechWorks Inc. faced severe penalties. As a reward for his efforts, John was granted a portion of the recovered amount, acknowledging his role as a whistleblower. The case served as a prime example of how individuals with integrity can play a crucial role in safeguarding taxpayer money.

Case Study 2: Jane Smith vs. Corporation

Jane Smith, an ambitious financial analyst, recently joined “GreenEnergy Corp,” an energy company that secured substantial government contracts to promote clean energy initiatives. As she delved into the financial records, she noticed discrepancies that raised suspicions about the company’s billing practices.

With her conscience guiding her, Jane decided to explore the legal options available to expose potential fraud against the government. She reached out to an attorney specializing in qui tam lawsuits to understand the process better. Jane’s attorney explained the steps involved in filing a whistleblower lawsuit and the protection offered to whistleblowers under the False Claims Act.

Empowered by this knowledge, Jane chose to blow the whistle on GreenEnergy Corp. by filing a qui tam lawsuit. During the investigation, it was revealed that the company had been submitting false claims and inflating expenses in its government contracts.

Thanks to Jane’s courage in coming forward and her attorney’s dedicated work, the government was able to recover the misused funds and hold GreenEnergy Corp. accountable for their actions. As a reward for her pivotal role in the case, Jane received a significant portion of the recovered funds, emphasizing the importance of encouraging individuals to speak up against fraudulent practices.

Case Study 3: Mark Johnson vs. Contractors

Mark Johnson, an experienced engineer employed by “Infrastructure Solutions Ltd,” was assigned to oversee a government-funded construction project. As the project progressed, he observed a series of suspicious activities by the contractors working on the site. Payments for completed work were being inflated, and substandard materials were being used to cut costs while billing for higher-quality materials.

Dismayed by the contractors’ unethical practices, Mark decided that he couldn’t remain silent. He consulted with an attorney who specialized in qui tam cases, and together, they initiated a whistleblower lawsuit against the contractors involved.

The legal process was arduous, involving extensive investigation and documentation. However, Mark’s dedication paid off as the evidence overwhelmingly supported the claims of fraudulent behavior. The government successfully recovered the funds lost due to the contractors’ deceitful actions, and Mark received a substantial reward for his role as a whistleblower.

This case demonstrated the vital role that conscientious individuals like Mark play in upholding the integrity of government contracts. The False Claims Act empowers employees like Mark to act as private attorneys general, ensuring that taxpayer money is used appropriately and ethically.