One of the many reasons to come forward as a whistleblower is the prospect of receiving a reward. A whistleblower can state their intention to collect a reward by submitting a writ of Qui Tam along with their complaint to the relevant government agency.
However, merely demanding a reward does not guarantee the receipt of funds. The information that a whistleblower offers must meet the government’s strict criteria. In addition, the information must lead to an arrest that recovers a substantial financial package. Finally, the party requesting the reward must meet the requirements under federal law. A trustworthy whistleblower attorney could help you if you are considering serving as a whistleblower and could provide you with a comprehensive Qui Tam suit overview in Columbia.
Qui Tam is a Latin phrase that describes a lawsuit where a private individual assists the government in exchange for a reward. As applied to whistleblowers, a person may offer information in exchange for monetary compensation.
To initiate the process, a person must clearly state that they are submitting a request for a reward, known as a writ of Qui Tam, along with the information relevant to the case in their complaint. An attorney could help parties gain a better overview of Qui Tam lawsuits in Columbia and how they apply to whistleblowers.
Virtually every federal statute that allows for whistleblowers to come forward raises the possibility of a reward. However, the exact circumstances that allow for these payments will vary on a statute-by-statute basis. For example, the False Claims Act, 31 United States Code § 3730(c)(5), outlines how people can seek a reward for reporting instances of fraud that impact the federal government.
Specifically, it states that parties who provide information concerning fraud that leads to a conviction can receive a reward that varies in value from 15 to 25 percent of the money recovered in the case, providing an incentive to reveal this information.
The purpose of the whistleblower programs is to encourage ordinary citizens to speak out against illegal activity. However, there are certain people who will never be able to claim an award through Qui Tam.
Active participants in the illegal activity are never eligible to demand a reward, even if they decide to turn in fellow conspirators. On the other hand, people with a legal duty to report the illegal activity are also ineligible for rewards. These include members of law enforcement, regulatory officers, or employees of the federal agency leading the investigation.
In addition, the information that a whistleblower provides to the government must be of substantial quality. This information must not already be known to the investigating agency. Furthermore, the information must play a substantial role in a subsequent investigation. Talking with a lawyer could help individuals determine if they are eligible to seek a reward through Qui Tam and to assess the value of their information.
People who come forward as whistleblowers and provide information that leads to a conviction may be eligible for a monetary reward through a writ of Qui Tam. However, merely stating that you have valuable information will not result in the payment of funds. Instead, you must meet certain eligibility criteria and provide information of sufficient quality.
An attorney could give you a better overview of Qui Tam suits in Columba. If you have potentially valuable information, they could also assist you in filing formal complaints under the False Claims Act that seek out a reward. Contact one today for more information about this process.
