Defense contractors play a major role in the 21st-century American military. These private companies receive contracts to provide services to produce supplies, design weapons, and feed active-duty service members.
Unfortunately, this arrangement is subject to graft and fraud. Despite federal laws that strictly prohibit this behavior, fraud remains a consistent problem. This includes activities such as overcharging for parts or submitting impossible estimates to gain a contract.
A Greenville defense contractor fraud lawyer may be able to help you if you have witnessed these acts. Coming forward as a whistleblower can not only help the government, but it may also result in you receiving a substantial reward for your help.
Defense contractors are private companies that supply goods or services to the branches of the United States military. Due to this, they deal directly with the Department of Defense. As a department of the federal government, the rules concerning fair financial play are involved in these transactions.
One of these rules is the prohibition of fraud against the federal government. Specifically, the False Claims Act under 31 United States Code § 3729 prohibits any intentional act that a party may take to obtain payment from the federal government under false pretenses. Examples of defense contractor fraud may include:
A Greenville defense contractor fraud whistleblower attorney could help individuals to determine if the information that they have seen violates the False Claims Act. If so, they could assist parties in submitting complaints to the relevant regulatory agencies.
Any private citizen can serve as a whistleblower. However, not every person is eligible to collect a reward for their service. Under 31 United States Code § 3730(c)(5), providing new information to the government that results in a conviction under the False Claims Act could result in a reward of between 15 and 25 percent of the recovered funds. However, people who have an obligation under the law to report fraud or members of the law enforcement community can never collect these payments. A Greenville defense contractor fraud whistleblower lawyer could help parties to submit the appropriate writs of Qui Tam.
At the same time, an attorney could protect a whistleblower from potential retaliation. While these acts are prohibited under the law, many defense contractors will act to intimidate or otherwise punish whistleblowers. An attorney could help to pursue civil lawsuits that demand appropriate remedies for workers who endure punishments as the result of coming forward to report illegal activity.
Defense contractors rely on government funds to pay their employees and turn a profit. Unfortunately, the needs to turn continual profits mean that the temptation to commit fraud is ever-present. Not only is this activity unethical, but it is also illegal.
If you believe that you have witnessed a violation of the False Claims Act by a defense contractor, you have the right to come forward as a whistleblower. A Greenville defense contractor fraud whistleblower lawyer could assist you in this process. This could even include demanding a fair reward for your information. Contact a Greenville defense contractor fraud attorney today to get started.
