Corporations and contractors that do business with the United States frequently have operations in other countries. Some of these foreign businesses are involved in fraudulent activity or the misuse of government property. While federal agencies are tasked with policing these companies and enforcing the law, acts of fraud fall through the cracks. A dedicated whistleblower attorney could help you hold these companies accountable and seek a financial award.
To combat these practices, the federal government offers whistleblowers the opportunity to exchange information about fraud for a monetary award. These parties can be foreign residents or employees of companies with divisions outside of the U.S. If you have evidence of international fraud, let a Lexington international whistleblower lawyer advise you of our options.
The federal government has a presence in many countries around the world, and numerous nations are home to the businesses and contractors that work with the U.S. Every day, the government makes payments to these entities for goods and services, and in some cases, these transactions are fraudulent.
Because of the links between the government and contractors that operate outside of the United States, there is the potential for international fraud. This might involve failing to pay taxes to the I.R.S. or violating regulations set by the Securities and Exchange Commission. An international whistleblower attorney in Lexington could help someone with information about these illegal overseas practices.
To combat fraud, the government has adopted the False Claims Act. Under this law, private individuals can petition the government for compensation after providing tips on possible fraudulent activity. This legal action is known as filing a writ of Qui Tam.
A person does not have to be physically located in the United States to take advantage of the False Claims Act. To qualify, they need to have information about fraudulent transactions made by a company or individual at the government’s expense.
In addition, to be eligible for a writ of Qui Tam, a person must provide actionable information to the government that no one else has shared. Someone who provides details that have already been communicated to the government will not qualify. Likewise, law enforcement agents and the targets of criminal investigations are not eligible to seek compensation in this way.
Moreover, a whistleblower will only recover an award if their assistance leads to a conviction under the False Claims Act. This means it is possible for nothing to come of this assistance, and the process can take years to play out. The good news is that a Lexington international whistleblower lawyer can provide insight every step of the way.
If a whistleblower can successfully help law enforcement, they have a chance to gain a monetary award. However, this payment will come from money recovered from the fraud. Generally, these awards are between 15 and 25 percent of what the government recovers.
If you believe you have information regarding fraudulent government contracts, now is the time to act. You could qualify for a monetary award even if you live outside the United States. Contact a Lexington international whistleblower lawyer today to learn more.
