ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Biden Administration Increases Enforcement Efforts
Enhanced Prosecutions Under The False Claims Act
Targeting Fraud In Healthcare And Defense Industries
The False Claims Act (FCA), 31 U.S.C. § 3729 et seq. is a powerful enforcement tool against fraud. Under the Biden Administration, the Justice Department is ramping up FCA enforcement efforts across healthcare, defense industries and other government contractors. Individuals with credible information of false claims can bring actions on behalf of the government against offending companies and may be entitled to a share of the recovery as a reward for their efforts. 31 U.S.C. § 3730. Evans Law Firm, Inc. represents whistleblowers in false claims cases of all varieties including cases involving healthcare fraud and government contractor fraud. Forms of fraud include overcharging, falsified records, billing for unapproved drugs or equipment, paying illegal kickbacks or knowingly violating compliance or eligibility guidelines. If you have credible information for a whistleblower case or any other whistleblower case in California, call us today at (415)441-8669 and we can help. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
Two Recent FCA Examples
Here are two recent examples of the DOJ’s FCA enforcement.[1]
- June 28, 2021: An outpatient surgical center agreed to pay the United States $3.4 million to resolve allegations they violated the False Claims Act by submitting claims for kidney stone procedures that were not medically justified and for establishing an illegal kickback arrangement. The whistleblower received $748,000 of the proceeds from the settlement.
- July 6, 2021: A defense contractor agreed to pay the United States over $11 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations stemming from aircraft maintenance services performed by the contractor under Defense Department contracts. The case involved helicopters used in transporting military cargo and personnel in Afghanistan and Africa. According to the complaint, the contractor allegedly failed to maintain aircrafts in accordance with contract requirements, and that the helicopters were not airworthy and should not have been certified as “fully mission capable.” The qui tam relator who initiated the case was awarded $2.1 million of the False Claims Act settlement.
How FCA Cases Work
We at Evans Law Firm, Inc. know how to organize and present your credible, original information and documentation in the most effective way. The FCA and other whistleblower statutes protect you from retaliation by your employer for blowing the whistle on fraud but employers often disregard the prohibition and discharge whistleblowers. If you are discharged for blowing the whistle on fraud, you may be entitled to sue your employer in federal court and seek double back pay (with interest), reinstatement, reasonable attorneys’ fees, and reimbursement for certain costs in connection with the litigation. 31 U.S.C. § 3730(h). We can represent you for your employment claims in addition to your underlying FCA claims.
Contact Us
If you have information that may be the basis for a False Claims Act qui tam case, call Ingrid M. Evans at Evans Law Firm, Inc. at (415) 441-8669, or by email at <a href=”mailto:info@evanslaw.com”>info@evanslaw.com</a>. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267). We handle cases involving bank fraud under FIRREA/FIAFEA, the Commodities Futures Trading Commission Whistleblower Program, the Securities and Exchange Commission Whistleblower Program, False Claims Act cases, the FINRA Whistleblower Office and the California False Claims Act. If you have information regarding federal or California false claims, offshore tax avoidance schemes against the IRS, or securities fraud in violation of SEC and CFTC regulations,
[1] Evans Law Firm, Inc. is not involved in the reported cases.
