When you have information about a construction contractor defrauding the federal, state, or local government, you may be reluctant to turn them in because you fear harassment or retaliation. You may also believe you will be reprimanded, fired, or blacklisted.
A Greenville construction contract fraud whistleblower lawyer could protect you and even help you sue on behalf of the government. Under the federal False Claims Act (FCA) and South Carolina’s whistleblower statutes, your employer cannot retaliate against you. If they do, you may be entitled to get your old position, wages past and future, and a reward for standing up to unlawful behavior. The experienced whistleblower attorneys at the Law Office of Bill Nettles have handled more whistleblower claims than any other law firm in the state, and we can handle yours.
On an individual level, fraud that only involves a small amount of money may not seem like a big deal, but nickel-and-diming the government on construction contracts or other fraudulent acts adds up. Some common construction contract frauds include:
A Greenville construction contract fraud whistleblower attorney could determine the amount of money a contractor hid or overcharged a client.
The False Claims Act protects whistleblowers reporting construction contracts and other fraud against the government, and South Carolina has enacted some statutes that also protect whistleblowers in state or local cases.
Under South Carolina Code § 41-15-510, employers cannot fire, demote, or punish employees who file a complaint or participate in an investigation against them. When they retaliate, under S.C. Code § 41-15-520, employees have 30 days to report the wrongdoing to the Department of Labor. A subsequent lawsuit could mean the employee is reinstated to the job with back pay.
Qui tam lawsuits are brought by whistleblowers with the help of a construction contract fraud whistleblower lawyer in Greenville on behalf of the government when they have unique knowledge of wrongdoing. In many cases, whistleblowers share a percentage of the money recouped from the party who committed fraud.
Whistleblowers are invaluable, but being one can be daunting because they are usually employees reporting on those who control their wages. If you have knowledge of a contractor defrauding the government in construction projects, the legal aspects of a qui tam lawsuit can protect you from retaliation.
Our team is comprised of the most experienced whistleblower lawyers in South Carolina. We have provided decades of hands-on representation for whistleblowers, and Bill Nettles served for years as a U.S. Attorney litigating fraud actions under the False Claims Act. When you have questions and concerns, our Greenville construction contract fraud whistleblower lawyers have answers. Get in touch today.
