School Lunch Abuse Results in Big Rewards for Whistleblowers

The government is paying large rewards to parents and employees who blow the whistle on schools that falsely report the number of students eligible for free or reduced cost lunch programs.

More than just free lunch money is at stake.  By falsely reporting the number of students eligible for free lunches, schools receive more grant money under other government programs as well.

When an honest employee or parent helps the government recover those over-payments under the False Claims Act, they are entitled to a reward of between 15% and 30% of the amount the government recovers.  The rewards are often hundreds of thousands of dollars – and sometimes millions of dollars

False claims by schools and school districts can take many forms.  Outright fraud is not required.  It is enough if the school officials know the information being submitted is not true.

For example, if parents are under-reporting their incomes on applications for free lunch programs, and school officials know that the information is not true, then they can be found in violation of the False Claims Act.

Other types of false claims involving school lunch programs include:

• receiving grant money based on the number of students receiving free lunches at one school, and then using some of that money at another school;
• receiving grant money on condition that the school raise matching funds, and then falsely reporting that the matching funds were raised when they were not;
• claiming reimbursement from the government for meals that were never served;
• failing to pass along to the government any rebates or discounts received from suppliers;
• serving food or ingredients that do not comply with nutritional or health standards;
• receiving or paying kickbacks to induce purchasers from a particular supplier.

If you have information that any of this type of conduct is happening at a school or school district, then you should consult with an experienced lawyer immediately.  To schedule a free and confidential consultation by telephone or in person, call my office today at (917) 652-6504 or click here to communicate with me via email.

John Howley
New York, New York

---

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation.  I invite you to contact our law offices and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail.  Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.  Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.  I practice law and offer legal services only in jurisdictions where I am properly authorized to do so.  I do not seek to represent anyone in any jurisdiction where this web site does not comply with applicable laws and bar rules.