There are many federal whistleblower protections available to protect those who see fraud or an abuse of power and come forward to put an end to it. Also, if you face retaliation against you for exposing power or abuse, the law protects you.
About the Whistleblower Statute
In 1863 to combat fraud in Union contracts during the Civil War, Congress passed the Whistleblower or Qui Tam statute. It was not until 1986 before Congress modernized the Whistleblower statute and renamed it to the False Claims Act (FCA). It became the government’s primary tool to combat fraud. Individuals who report government-program fraud bring the lawsuit on behalf of the government.
The Law Protects and Rewards a Whistleblower
When a knowledgeable attorney like those found at The Michael Brady Lynch Firm files a False Claims Act lawsuit, he or she files it under a seal. This means it is completely confidential. There is also a full disclosure statement in the suit, which details the evidence collected by a whistleblower.
After we file your suit, the Department of Justice will review the evidence before deciding to step in and decide if they want to prosecute the case. The government’s fraud investigator will work closely with you, the whistleblower to identify all responsible for the fraud.
The government could give you 15-30% of the recovered funds. To receive the reward, you must be the first one to file. Also, an attorney must file under the False Claims Act. This is why it is key to pick an experienced attorney to work quickly to get your compensation.
Federal Whistleblower Protections
In 2012, Congress passed the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (WPEA). This law strengthens protections for Federal employees who report fraud, waste or abuse. This includes protecting disclosures made about a supervisor or someone else who received a report. It doesn’t matter the employee’s motive or if he or she was not at work when the disclosure report was made.
The WPEA itself protects all employee disclosures. Plus, any censorship of a disclosure that causes gross government waste or mismanagement, an abuse of authority or substantial danger to public health is protected.
Even federal subcontractors have the same protections. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 (NDAA) protects Federal contractors, subcontractors, grantees or subgrantees from being penalized for making a protected whistleblower disclosure. The 2013 act was a pilot program, but in 2016, Congress made the protections permanent.
Premier Complex Litigation Attorneys
The Michael Brady Lynch Firm has successfully represented thousands of consumers and recovered millions of dollars for their clients. Experts have recognized our team of attorneys as some of the most experienced and successful in the country. Many firms seek out our award-winning staff for our knowledge of complex litigation, scientific evidence development, negotiation strategies, and trial tactics.
Most of all, our law office is resourceful and dedicated to pursuing any compensation you are due. Because of this, we have received a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, such as inclusion on numerous Plaintiff Steering Committees. We will take whatever legal measures are necessary when fighting for your rights to damages.
Therefore, if you believe you have uncovered evidence of fraud involving a government-funded program, contact us today. Our attorneys have represented many clients in the past with complex cases. We will work tirelessly to obtain results on your behalf.