The False Claims Act (FCA) is becoming an increasing concern for corporations engaged in fraud, misconduct, and abuse. Both whistleblowers and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) actively enforce the Act, aiming for considerable damages and civil penalties. State Attorneys General are also stepping up their investigations, using state laws that mirror the federal FCA.

The potential for substantial whistleblower rewards has led to a rise in qui tam lawsuits. And recent legal developments and court decisions are making it harder to dismiss such claims. Since 1986, qui tam whistleblower cases have facilitated the government in recouping over $72 billion from fraudsters.

FY2022 Qui Tam Settlements Judgements and Award Statistics

If you are a whistleblower and possess direct knowledge of government contracting fraud or infractions against the U.S. Government, reach out to our firm to speak with a leading False Claims Act attorney who specializes in qui tam lawsuits. Our cases have led to the U.S. government reclaiming hundreds of millions of dollars annually—funds illicitly taken from American taxpayers.

Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto stands out as the sole whistleblower law firm recognized as one of the Top 50 Elite Plaintiff’s Law Firms in 2019. Each of its founding partners boasts an AV Preeminent® rating from the Martindale-Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™. We encourage you to learn more about our False Claims Act attorneys, and submit an intake for a confidential consultation.

Our Firm’s False Claims Act and Qui Tam Cases

Our team of qui tam attorneys has vast experience representing whistleblowers from both governmental and non-governmental sectors who report fraud across various industries. Notably, our partners represent whistleblowers from every corner of the globe (excluding Antarctica) as they seek rewards under U.S. laws for their information.

What sets us apart is our collaborative approach. Our attorneys often work together on qui tam cases, amplifying our effectiveness and success rate. While our False Claims Act cases remain confidential (or “under seal”) until the government chooses to get involved and the court reveals the details, we’ve made some of our pivotal cases public:

  • Instec Inc., has agreed to pay $625,000 to settle allegations of fraud brought by whistleblower Bryan Swanton who alleged the company falsely certified its Chinese-made products as American-made to win contracts.

  • Dr. Aaron Westrick filed a False Claims Act lawsuit against Toyoba, the manufacter of Zylon fiber, a material that degraded over time, which put thousands of lives in American police departments, federal law enforcement agencies, and the U.S. military at risk.

  • Daniel Richardson, a former high-ranking manager at Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), won a significant qui tam case against the pharmaceutical giant. The case revolved around illicit “off-label” marketing tactics and illegal kickbacks.

  • Using the California False Claims Act, James Connolly held the global financial company HSBC accountable for excessively charging the California Public Employees Retirement System during foreign currency transactions.

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Whistleblower Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

The Federal False Claims Act (FCA), also known as the “Lincoln Law,” is a U.S. federal law enacted in 1863 to combat fraud against the government.

The FCA imposes civil and criminal liabilities on individuals, organizations, or entities that knowingly submit false or fraudulent claims for payment or approval to the federal government. The FCA covers a wide range of industries, including healthcare, defense, construction, and education, among others.

The Federal False Claims Act is one of the most powerful whistleblower laws in existence, and serves as a powerful tool to deter and penalize fraudulent activities that exploit government funds, ensuring the responsible use of taxpayer dollars across various sectors.

The “qui tam” provision allows private citizens to file lawsuits on behalf of the government against entities or individuals who are suspected of defrauding the government. If the lawsuit is successful, the whistleblower may be entitled to a portion of the recovered funds (usually between 15-30%).

Read More
What Is The False Claims Act?

The False Claims Act (FCA) is a federal law in the United States that aims to combat fraud against the government by imposing penalties on individuals or entities that knowingly submit false or fraudulent claims for payment or approval. In the context of healthcare, the FCA is particularly relevant because a significant portion of healthcare services in the United States is funded by government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

Under the FCA, healthcare providers who knowingly submit false or fraudulent claims for reimbursement to federal healthcare programs can face severe financial penalties and even criminal charges. Examples of healthcare fraud covered by the FCA include:

  1. Billing for services not rendered
  2. Upcoding (billing for a more expensive service than the one provided)
  3. Unbundling (billing separately for services that should be bundled at a lower cost)
  4. Providing medically unnecessary services
  5. Misrepresenting the diagnosis or treatment provided to a patient

Read more:
False Claims Act Guide for Healthcare Whistleblowers

A whistleblower suit under the False Claims Act (FCA) is a legal action initiated by a private individual, known as a “whistleblower” or “qui tam relator,” on behalf of the federal government against an individual or entity suspected of defrauding the government. This type of lawsuit is also referred to as a “qui tam” action, derived from the Latin phrase “qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur,” which means “he who sues for the king as well as for himself.”

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Filing a Qui Tam Lawsuit

Our Attorneys

Stephen Kohn

Stephen M. Kohn

Founding Partner
Washington, D.C.

David Colapinto

David K. Colapinto

Founding Partner
Washington, D.C.

Todd Yoder - Whistleblower Associate Attorney

Todd Yoder

Partner
Washington, D.C.