Goods and services fraud occurs when a business or agency lies to the federal or state government to get government business, or receive government payment, services or subsidies.
Conduct that may be the basis of a False Claims Act or Qui Tam claim includes:
- seeking payment for services not performed
- giving the government false information to get an agricultural subsidy
- falsifying status as a small, disadvantaged or minority business to get government contracts from the Small Business Administration
- lying to the government about whether products are made in the United States
- sells products to the government that overcharging for the completion of public works or government construction projects
- misusing funds allocated for scientific research
- overcharging the government for the cleanup of toxic waste
- seeking payment for work that does not meet the agreed contractual requirements
- charging the government for costs not included in a contract
- failing to pay workers as required by a contract
- rigging bids for government projects
- misusing grant monies
- underpaying royalties on government-leased land for such things as oil, gas and lumber
- overcharging the government for banking services
- violations of the Buy American Act
- violations of the Trade Agreements Act
If you have been witness to these or any other activities that could be considered illegal under the False Claims Act, contact Halunen Law.