Every year billions if dollars are wasted in paying false claims against the government. Of course, fraud is not a new phenomenon. It is as old as mankind itself. People see opportunities to benefit and they grasp those opportunities. They justify their acts to themselves by arguing that they are not stealing from the poor or needy. Yet it is the tax payer that finds himself paying the bills. However, aided by a whistleblower attorney Seattle citizens can help to put a stop to fraud and corruption.
The law that is used to fight against fraud and to take perpetrators to task is called the False Claims Act, or the Lincoln Act. President Lincoln promulgated this act as long ago as the civil war when contractors appointed to supply the army routinely submitted false or exaggerated claims. Apart for amendments in 1986 the act remains to most effective tool in combating fraud against the government.
An interesting an unusual part of this Act is that it allows for qui tam. This means that private citizens can also prosecute alleged fraudsters, abusers of authority and those suspected of illegal acts in a court of law. It is not only the Justice Department that is allowed to pursue these types of criminal cases. Any citizen with prove of fraudulent acts by an individual or organization can take the case to court.
The False Claims Act makes it worthwhile for ordinary citizens to formally lodge criminal cases against fraudsters. The Act makes provision for rewarding such a citizen with between 15 and 25 per cent of the money recovered from the case. This reward can be extremely large, since those found guilty are fined three times the amount involved in the case plus civil fines of up to 11 000 dollar. This reward can indeed serve as a powerful motivator.
Whistleblowers, referred to as relators in these cases, need to appoint their own lawyers if they wish to share in the recovery made by the government. At present, almost 60 per cent of recoveries made by the government came about due to relators reporting and pursuing cases. Fortunately, most lawyers that take on such cases will act on a contingency basis.
When first filed, qui tam cases are held in camera. This means that the defendant is not notified of the matter. This is done to allow the Justice Department to investigate the validity of the case and to gather evidence against the defendant. It is also necessary to ensure that the plaintiff did not file the case with sinister motives.
Before lodging a claim it is necessary to gather as much evidence as possible. This must be done in a legal manner, however. Documents that were stolen from an employer, for example, may not be permitted in court. The attorneys will need details regarding dates, people involved, amounts and methods used to make false claims.
Tax payers have to foot the bill for fraudulent acts by unscrupulous people and organizations. The False Claims Act gives them the opportunity to do something about it and to get a reward to boot. Anyone that becomes aware of fraud, mismanagement or illegal acts should report the matter without delay.
The law that is used to fight against fraud and to take perpetrators to task is called the False Claims Act, or the Lincoln Act. President Lincoln promulgated this act as long ago as the civil war when contractors appointed to supply the army routinely submitted false or exaggerated claims. Apart for amendments in 1986 the act remains to most effective tool in combating fraud against the government.
An interesting an unusual part of this Act is that it allows for qui tam. This means that private citizens can also prosecute alleged fraudsters, abusers of authority and those suspected of illegal acts in a court of law. It is not only the Justice Department that is allowed to pursue these types of criminal cases. Any citizen with prove of fraudulent acts by an individual or organization can take the case to court.
The False Claims Act makes it worthwhile for ordinary citizens to formally lodge criminal cases against fraudsters. The Act makes provision for rewarding such a citizen with between 15 and 25 per cent of the money recovered from the case. This reward can be extremely large, since those found guilty are fined three times the amount involved in the case plus civil fines of up to 11 000 dollar. This reward can indeed serve as a powerful motivator.
Whistleblowers, referred to as relators in these cases, need to appoint their own lawyers if they wish to share in the recovery made by the government. At present, almost 60 per cent of recoveries made by the government came about due to relators reporting and pursuing cases. Fortunately, most lawyers that take on such cases will act on a contingency basis.
When first filed, qui tam cases are held in camera. This means that the defendant is not notified of the matter. This is done to allow the Justice Department to investigate the validity of the case and to gather evidence against the defendant. It is also necessary to ensure that the plaintiff did not file the case with sinister motives.
Before lodging a claim it is necessary to gather as much evidence as possible. This must be done in a legal manner, however. Documents that were stolen from an employer, for example, may not be permitted in court. The attorneys will need details regarding dates, people involved, amounts and methods used to make false claims.
Tax payers have to foot the bill for fraudulent acts by unscrupulous people and organizations. The False Claims Act gives them the opportunity to do something about it and to get a reward to boot. Anyone that becomes aware of fraud, mismanagement or illegal acts should report the matter without delay.
About the Author:
You can visit www.aleneandersonlaw.com for more helpful information about When Approaching A Whistleblower Attorney Seattle Residents Can Be Rewarded For Fighting Fraud.
No comments:
Post a Comment