Our firm, located in Washington, DC, specializes in representing whistleblowers in both federal fraud and New York state False Claims Act cases.
Based in Washington, DC, our firm is renowned for its expertise in representing whistleblowers in both federal and New York state False Claims Act cases.
If you’re confronting issues like securities violations, government contracting fraud, tax evasion, or healthcare-related fraud under the New York False Claims Act, our team is equipped with the knowledge and experience to offer legal assistance. We navigate the complexities of both federal and New York state whistleblower laws, ensuring your rights are protected while guiding you through the claim filing process.
Under federal laws, including those enforced by the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Anti-Money Laundering (AML) statutes, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), whistleblowers are offered crucial protections and incentives for reporting federal law violations. Our attorneys have a wealth of experience handling claims under these laws and are adept at guiding clients through the intricacies of their respective reward programs.
Whistleblower Reward Programs
SEC Whistleblower Program
Established by the Dodd-Frank Act, the SEC ensures the confidentiality of whistleblowers, offering awards between 10 to 30 percent of the money collected in cases where the monetary sanctions exceed $1 million.
CFTC Whistleblower Program
Also a product of the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFTC program rewards individuals with 10-30% monetary incentives for reporting violations of the Commodity Exchange Act that lead to successful enforcement, all while ensuring privacy and protection against retaliation.
AML and Sanctions Whistleblower Program
Amended under the Anti-Money Laundering Whistleblower Improvement Act of 2022, this program encourages individuals to report money laundering and sanctions violations, offering 10% to 30% of total sanctions collected in successful enforcement actions.
IRS Whistleblower Program
This program offers 15-30% rewards to whistleblowers who provide detailed, reliable information leading to the recovery of unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest.
False Claims Act: Qui Tam
Whistleblowers, or qui tam relators, may receive between 15-30% of recovered government funds. The FCA is a highly effective law, distributing over $7.3 billion in rewards since 1986.
Since many whistleblower allegations implicate both federal and state violations and in many cases, the conduct of False Claims Act defendants may also implicate violations of federal securities, commodities or tax laws as well as state laws.
New York State False Claims Act
In addition to federal programs, the New York False Claims Act specifically targets fraud within state-funded programs, including Medicaid. Our attorneys are proficient in the nuances of this state-specific legislation, offering comprehensive support for exposing fraud at the state level. Depending on the case and state intervention, whistleblowers can receive awards ranging from 15% to 30%.
The New York False Claims Act rewards whistleblowers with credible information can receive 3x the damages and penalties between $6,000 – $12,000, not including legal fees. If someone is self-reporting their own fraudulent behavior, they are subject to 2x the damages.
Keep in mind, New York is currently the only state in the U.S. that allows whistleblowers to file a whistleblower lawsuit against individuals for violating state tax laws, when the individual’s income is $1 million or more. There is a 10-year statute of limitations for all New York False Claims Act, compared with the 6-year limitations period under the federal False Claims Act.
Learn More
New York whistleblower laws, statutes, and regulations
Seeking a New York Whistleblower Attorney?
Choosing a New York-based lawyer for federal whistleblower cases provides the advantage of local expertise with national reach. However, the real value lies in expertise, as federal and state whistleblower cases can be complex.
Our firm blends deep knowledge of federal whistleblower laws with the specificity and tailored approach necessary for New York state cases. If you’re considering blowing the whistle on federal or state violations, we’re here to assist.
Contact us for a confidential consultation to discuss your case under federal or state whistleblower laws. We’re dedicated to protecting your rights and securing the best possible outcome for your situation.
Our Firm’s Cases
A scientific instrument company, Instec Inc., has agreed to pay $625,000 to settle allegations of fraud brought by whistleblower Bryan Swanton. Swanton, a former sales manager at Instec, alleged the company falsely certified its Chinese-made products as American-made to win contracts with federal agencies and national laboratories. The settlement underscores the importance of whistleblowers in uncovering fraud and protecting American jobs. Read more about the case and Swanton's role in exposing the alleged scheme.
Confidential Whistleblower's disclosures resulted in 461 tax cheats paying over $562.9 million in fines and penalties. Whistleblower obtained awards of over $112.6 million.
Kohn, Kohn and Colapinto and Athens-based Greek law firm of Pavlos K. Sarakis & Associates jointly represented Greek whistleblowers who proved that the multinational Swiss-based pharmaceutical company Novartis paid millions in bribes to illegally market drugs in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Novartis was required to pay over $300 million in sanctions and fines to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
Our Thinking
August 13, 2024
Additional Resources
Our Attorneys
Founding Partner
Washington, D.C.
Founding Partner
Washington, D.C.
Founding Partner
Washington, D.C.