Our Mortgage and Bank Fraud Lawyers Successfully Obtained a Whistleblower Reward in Ground-Breaking Mortgage Fraud Case

Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto mortgage and bank fraud lawyers represent whistleblowers who file their cases under the False Claims Act.

Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto represented Robert Harris, a former assistant vice president in JPMorgan’s Chase Prime mortgage division. Robert Harris accused the bank of failing to assist borrowers seeking Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) assistance and knowingly submitting false claims for government insurance based on wrongful foreclosures. He was fired after he complained internally, and Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto successfully represented Mr. Harris in a False Claims Act lawsuit.

This case was not immediately apparent that it was actionable under the False Claims case. KKC pioneered a new theory of liability to apply qui tam law in this case.

The United States government and several state governments reached a settlement agreement to resolve these lawsuits, and Mr. Harris was awarded $1.2 million under the False Claims Act for his contributions to the government’s investigation.

If you have knowledge fraud and need a mortgage or bank fraud whistleblower advocate to help you with your case, please contact us.

For more information on mortgage fraud and banking fraud, visit The Whistleblower and Qui Tam Blog.

Read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Page: What is Qui Tam?

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Frequently Asked Questions

The whistleblower lawyers of the law firm of Kohn, Kohn and Colapinto all have over 30 years’ experience representing whistleblowers. If KKC agrees to represent you, one of our founding partners will manage your case. This hands-on approach by KKC partners makes it very difficult for the law firm to represent all of the whistleblowers who contact our firm. A founding partner does review every intake form received through the contact us form on our website.

Under the virtually universally followed general rule, if a whistleblower loses their case, he/she does not have to pay the attorney fees incurred by opposing counsel. This general rule is especially true in whistleblower cases litigated within the U.S. Department of Labor. In these cases, there are strict rules preventing companies from ever obtaining any fees or costs from whistleblowers who lose their cases. There are even limits on the number of sanctions given if a whistleblower files a frivolous lawsuit, in bad faith.

In federal court, whistleblowers do not have to pay fees to a corporation if they lose their case. However, if a lawsuit is frivolous and pursued in bad faith, the whistleblower may be liable for sanctions. A losing party in federal court is often liable to pay court costs, which are very small when compared with attorney fees.

It is nearly impossible for a whistleblower who files under the SEC and IRS reward laws to be liable for attorney fees from his or her employer. This situation is especially true if they maintain their confidentiality.

Outside of the United States, most attorneys charge their clients fees. However, the United States has a different pay-model based on a contingency fee (see above). Thus, international whistleblowers who retain attorneys in the United States often do not have to pay any up-front attorney fees.

In the United States, many whistleblower attorneys work for a “contingency” fee. If the whistleblower loses his or her case, the whistleblower does not have to pay the attorney any money. But if the whistleblower wins the case, their attorney will generally obtain a contingency fee of between 30-40%.

Additionally, many whistleblower laws have “statutory fee” provisions. Under these provisions, if the whistleblower wins, the company must pay all “reasonable” attorney fees incurred on behalf of the client.

Finally, although many whistleblowers have a “contingency fee” arrangement, many firms will charge a whistleblower an hourly fee. There are many reasons that firms charge such a rate. Having to pay an attorney a fee is not a good reason to reject retaining legal representation.

It is Kohn, Kohn and Colapinto’s general practice to represent whistleblowers on a contingency fee basis.

Blowing the whistle is serious business. Your job, reputation, and career may be on the line. Your first priority should be to find a whistleblower lawyer. Not all whistleblower disclosures are lawful or protected. You need to know how to blow the whistle and protect yourself. Moreover, many whistleblower laws permit you to obtain a financial reward. It is essential that when you blow the whistle, you understand your rights.

The three founding partners of our firm have exclusively represented whistleblowers since 1984 (Stephen Kohn), 1985 (Michael Kohn) and 1988 (David Colapinto). Our managing partner, Mary Jane Wilmoth, joined the firm in 1993. The firm’s record on winning whistleblower cases is second to none. We obtained the largest award ever given to an individual whistleblower, won numerous reward and retaliation cases, and have worked with Congress and executive agencies in drafting the laws and rules governing whistleblowers. Our partners have written the most books published on whistleblower laws. In 1988 the firm’s partners helped to found the National Whistleblower Center, and they are highly committed to advocating pro bono for whistleblowers. They successfully established many of the whistleblower laws, regulation, and legal precedents that now benefit all whistleblowers.

Our Attorneys

Stephen Kohn

Stephen M. Kohn

Founding Partner
Washington, D.C.

Michael Kohn - Whistleblower Attorney

Michael D. Kohn

Founding Partner
Washington, D.C.

David Colapinto

David K. Colapinto

Founding Partner
Washington, D.C.