Countless contractors work for every facet of state and federal governments each year. These third parties are compensated for their services, but many will attempt to pay their income by submitting fake invoices or fraudulent claims. A determined whistleblower attorney could hold these companies accountable and compensate you for your part in identifying the wrongdoing.

Consider speaking with our legal team today if you have strong evidence of a false claim. Federal law provides a system for seeking financial compensation from companies that illegally obtain government funds in this manner. Let a Columbia government contractor fraud whistleblower lawyer advise you of your options.

Examples of Fraud Among Government Contractors

Contractors could potentially commit fraud in a number of ways. They could falsify details on an initial proposal or bill for unrelated expenses. A third party could also ask to be paid for work that was never performed or submit a bill twice.

It can be difficult for the government to identify acts of fraud. The budget for investigating these matters is generally small, and the parties involved in this behavior are often sophisticated. For this reason, a program to provide compensation for whistleblowers was created to identify these bad actors.

What is the False Claims Act?

Strict rules and regulations determine how contractors bill the government for their services. Intentionally flouting these requirements in an effort to collect funds a party is not entitled to is fraud.

Making any form of false claim to obtain payment from the government is a violation of the False Claims Act. While this type of fraud can be costly to the state and local government, the resources to investigate these acts are typically limited.

To combat this, the government rewards whistleblowers for providing information on violators. A Columbia contractor fraud lawyer could assist whistleblowers in submitting a claim and navigating the legal process.

Compensating Whistleblowers Through Qui Tam Lawsuits

A writ of qui tam is a legal document filed in federal court. These proceedings provide the government with evidence that a contractor has committed fraud in violation of the False Claims Act. Often, these writs are filed by employees with inside information regarding the wrongdoing.

Once the writ and any supporting documentation are filed, the government quietly investigates the allegations. At this stage, the whistleblower’s identity is protected. If the government decides to pursue the company for fraud, the party that filed the lawsuit could be entitled to compensation.

A monetary award is only available under limited circumstances. The investigation must have uncovered fraud, and the government must recoup some of the lost funds. With the help of a Columbia lawyer, a whistleblower could be entitled to as much as 25 percent of what was recovered from a government contractor fraud investigation.

Get in Touch With a Government Contractor Fraud Whistleblower Attorney in Columbia Today

Whistleblowers play a vital role in stamping out fraud in the federal government. You might be entitled to a monetary award if you believe you have evidence that the False Claims Act was violated.

However, you do not have to pursue a writ of qui tam on your own. Schedule an initial meeting with a Columbia government contractor fraud whistleblower lawyer today. Our seasoned legal team could provide more information on filing a claim and answer any questions about the process.

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