Qui Tam/Government Fraud Attorney
The Federal False Claims Act and similar state statutes provide significant financial rewards to whistleblowers who expose fraud against government agencies or programs. The False Claims Act also makes it illegal to retaliate against whistleblowers.
In a successful case, whistleblowers (called "relators") are typically entitled to anywhere from 15 to 30 percent of the amount recovered by the government. This amount can be significant because a defendant found guilty of fraud must pay three times the government's losses, additional penalties, and attorney's fees for the case. For example, in a case involving false billing for work on helicopters, the federal government recovered $150 million and the relator received $22.5 million.
Anyone who has information about fraud against the government is a potential relator. Qui tam relators include employees, patients, vendors, bookkeepers, medical care providers, accountants, auditors, analysts and service providers — if you are aware of fraud against the government at either the federal or state level, you may be able to start a False Claims Act case.
Click here to learn more about types of Qui Tam fraud.
What Does
Qui Tam Mean?
The term "qui tam" is often heard in connection with cases under the False Claims Act. "
Qui tam" is shorthand for "
Qui tam pro domino rege quam pro ipso," which means, "Who sues on behalf of the King, as well as for himself." A "qui tam" case is one where a private citizen can sue on behalf of the government, which is what happens when a complaint is filed under the False Claims Act. Based on the "qui tam" concept, whistleblowers are rewarded by sharing in the proceeds recovered by the government.
Contact a Minnesota Qui Tam Attorney
If you have knowledge of government fraud, we can advise you on what to do next. At Halunen & Associates, our lawyers represent people involved in federal and state qui tam/False Claims Act cases. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation.
