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Some people grew up in homes where telling on another person for their wrongdoings, otherwise referred to as tattling, was frowned upon. This is perhaps due to the idea that children’s zest for telling on a sibling is irritating for a parent. It could also have something to do with an effort to teach children to take responsibility for their own actions. However, telling on someone for their unethical or illegal behavior as an adult often has a completely different effect.
You could benefit from reporting to the IRS this tax season
Whistleblower to receive $1.6 million in False Claims Act case
"Patients and taxpayers rightly should expect that referrals be based on sound medical judgement, not driven by thinly veiled bribes, as alleged here," said a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
New York whistleblower to receive $62.7 million in Sprint lawsuit
In December, the New York Attorney General's Office and the state tax commissioner reached a record-breaking settlement with Sprint and several subsidiaries. A whistleblower filed a lawsuit under the state's false claims act, which allows private citizens to file lawsuits on behalf of the government when they notice fraud, waste or abuse in state contracting.
What is a qui tam action under the federal False Claims Act?
If you work for an organization that contracts with the federal government, you may have observed questionable or even fraudulent activity. Did you know you could earn a substantial reward by blowing the whistle on fraud, waste or abuse of a federal contract or program? The reward could be between 15 and 30 percent of any money recovered on behalf of the government.
Whistleblower reveals hospital's Stark, Anti-Kickback violations
"By bringing allegations of fraud to light, whistleblowers play an important role in protecting the integrity of our healthcare system," says the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
The DOJ is dismissing more qui tam lawsuits. What does this mean?
Every year, numerous whistleblowers file qui tam lawsuits after noticing fraudulent activity. Under the False Claims Act (FCA), someone who has evidence of fraud against the federal government can file a claim and receive protection from retaliation—and possibly a financial award for reporting the fraud.
Whistleblower alerts government to systemic, overcharged shipments
The False Claims Act invites private-citizen whistleblowers to file lawsuits against companies that they believe are engaging in fraud, waste or abuse in government contracting. When these lawsuits are successful, the whistleblower can receive a substantial portion of the money recovered as a reward for their service. Sometimes, the federal government intervenes in these lawsuits, which does not affect the whistleblower's rights but sometimes improves the lawsuit's chances for success.
DOJ accuses Navy contractor of lying about radioactivity tests
The Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco is being redeveloped into housing and commercial space. Between 1946 and 1969, however, the former Navy shipyard was involved in activities that created significant amounts of radioactive waste. First, the facility was the location of top-secret nuclear tests. Second, it was where ships were decontaminated after returning from hydrogen bomb tests. Cleaning up the radioactive waste is expected to cost at least $1 billion.
SEC awards two whistleblowers a combined $54 million
It has been reported that the Securities and Exchange Commission awarded two major whistleblowing payouts earlier this month. The agency granted one whistleblower $39 million. Another informant received $15 million. The SEC awarded these two for information leading to the discovery of a major violation of SEC rules.
SEC proposes changes to Dodd-Frank whistleblower award amounts
Earlier this summer, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a proposal that would give it greater discretion when making awards to people who blow the whistle on securities violations under the Dodd-Frank Act. Allowing it to offer larger awards in small cases would foster compliance in the industry, the agency says. It would pay for the increases by cutting into the very large awards paid out in a handful of cases each year.
