Whistleblowing plays a vital role in ensuring accountability and transparency within organizations and governmental entities. The action of reporting illicit activities, often within one's own place of employment, holds significant importance. This act not only...
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Qui Tam
Understanding qui tam law
The Latin phrase "qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur," translates to "he who brings a case for the king as well as for himself." It refers to a legal provision under the False Claims Act that allows private individuals, known as relators or...
When the feds step in — qui tam settlements and dismissals
There are many rules to avoid fraud on federal contracts. That said, the government is not in a position to obtain insight into the inner workings of every contractor it uses. This is where qui tam actions come in. However, potential relators (those who bring and...
Who are the parties in a qui tam lawsuit?
Ordinarily, when you file a lawsuit, you are the plaintiff, but a qui tam lawsuit is different. When you file a qui tam lawsuit, you file on behalf of the government against a contractor whom you believe to have committed fraud. As a result, your role in the lawsuit...
What should you know about the False Claims Act?
The False Claims Act exists as a piece of legislation that discusses qui tam. It is a long-standing act first created in 1863, and it has undergone numerous changes over the years, with the most recent being in 2010. This anti-fraud law offers some of the oldest and...
When are universities at risk for qui tam lawsuits?
Operating a university costs a lot of money. While public schools receive funds from the state, private universities rely only on funds from other sources. With limited outside sources, the need for money might cause universities to resort to illegal practices to help...
Who cannot bring a qui tam action?
After discovering evidence that your employer has committed fraud against the federal government, you may feel motivated to file a qui tam lawsuit. While a qui tam can help the government recover damages, not everyone can bring this kind of action in court. FindLaw...
When may the government take up a qui tam?
If you discover that a company is committing fraud against the U.S. government, federal law permits you to file a lawsuit on behalf of the government. This is a qui tam action. After you have completed your filing, the government has the option to take over the case...
What does a relator do when filing a qui tam lawsuit?
The individual filing a whistleblower or qui tam lawsuit becomes its relator. As noted by Whistleblowers.org, the court uses the term “relator” to identify the original source who revealed the fraudulent activity. If you wish to report fraud committed against a state...
Going over data on qui tam cases
Whether you want to move forward with a qui tam suit as a result of health care fraud, cyber fraud or fraud in another area, you need to have a clear understanding of your options and take action swiftly. It is essential to safeguard tax dollars and address abuse and...