Qui Tam and Whistleblower Rewards
The government pays rewards to whistleblowers who help stop Medicare and Medicaid fraud, tax fraud, and violations of the securities laws and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
The rewards can be substantial. Whistleblowers are paid up to 30% of the amount recovered by the government. The whistleblower laws also provide protection from unlawful retaliation. In many cases, the whistleblower awards amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. In some cases, the rewards reach into the millions of dollars. Whistleblower Rewards Programs. The False Claims Act contains a qui tam provision that allows private citizens to earn rewards by helping the government recover money paid for false claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and other government programs. Other programs provide rewards for individuals who come forward with evidence that companies are violating the securities laws, the tax laws, or the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Can You Be an Anonymous Whistleblower? Some whistleblower programs allow the whistleblower to remain anonymous. The whistleblower's evidence is provided to the government - and the reward is paid to the whistleblower - through the whistleblower's lawyer. Other programs allow you to file the whistleblower claim "under seal" (that is, in secret). Your identity is revealed only after the government conducts an investigation. Who is Eligible for Whistleblower Rewards? Anyone with evidence of fraud can earn a whistleblower reward. You do not have to be an employee or personally affected by the fraud. You only need to have evidence that helps the government stop the fraud and recover money. Why Should You Report Fraud? Billions of dollars are lost or wasted every year because of fraud on the government. That has a direct effect on every American. Fraud increases government spending, which causes your taxes to go up. Fraud also causes multi-billion dollar deficits that threaten our very existence as a nation. Reporting fraud is the right thing to do as a patriotic American. It also may result in a substantial financial reward. Do Not Wait for the FBI to Show Up at Your Doorstep. If you have evidence of fraud, you may be at risk if you fail to report it. Sooner or later, the government will uncover the fraud. If you knew of the fraud and failed to report it, you may become a target of a criminal investigation instead of earning a whistleblower reward. Arrange a Free and Confidential Consultation. In most cases, only the first whistleblower is entitled to a reward. If you have evidence that a company is submitting false claims to a government program, evading taxes, or violating the securities laws, then you should consult with an experienced whistleblower lawyer immediately. Call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728 to arrange a free and confidential consultation. |
John Howley, Esq.
The Howley Law Firm P.C. 350 Fifth Avenue, 59th Floor New York, New York 10118 (212) 601-2728 |