ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Former Employee Alleged Kickbacks And Compliance Misstatements
Compliance Issues In Government Contracts
Allegations Of Illegal Subcontractor Kickbacks
The False Claims Act (FCA), 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 et seq., is the primary enforcement tool for recovering money fraudulently claimed from the government. Government contractors are among those businesses that violate the FCA by submitting false claims for payment. Contractors may violate other statutes that pertain to government contracts including the Anti-Kickback Enforcement Act of 1986, 41 U.S.C. § 51 et seq., and the Procurement Integrity Act, 48 C.F.R. § 3.104-1-11. Under the FCA, individuals are authorized to bring actions on behalf of the government, known as “qui tams” to recover money paid out by the government to businesses violating these statutes. 31 U.S.C. § 3730(b). If you have credible information of illegal kickbacks or other fraud in government contract work in California, call us today at (415)441-8669 and we can help. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
Recent Settlement Of FCA Allegations
In a recent FCA settlement announced by the U.S. Department of Justice,[1] a multinational telecommunications and Internet service provider company agreed to pay $12,772,843 to settle allegations involving kickbacks paid in return for favorable treatment to subcontractors in connection with government contracts; improperly obtaining competitive bid information; and misstating compliance with woman-owned small business subcontracting requirements. The United States alleged that subcontractors paid kickbacks to defendant’s senior managers to induce them to steer subcontract work to them. The government also alleged that defendant claimed a subcontractor qualified as a woman-owned small business (as the government contract required), which in fact was not true and therefore a knowing compliance violation.
Suing For Wrongful Termination
Although the relator in this case was a former employee, current employees are protected from employer retaliation for bringing false claims qui tam cases. 31 U.S.C. § 3730(h). Despite this legal protection, employers continue to retaliate against whistleblowers. If you are fired because you brought any fraud to light, you may be able to sue your employer for wrongful termination, seeking double back pay (with interest), reinstatement, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. 31 U.S.C. § 3730(h)(2). Evans Law Firm, Inc. can represent you in any action for retaliation as well as in your underlying whistleblower suit.
Contact Us
If you have credible information of government contractor fraud call Ingrid M. Evans at (415) 441-8669, or toll-free at 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267) or by email at <a href=”mailto:info@evanslaw.com”>info@evanslaw.com</a>. In addition to FCA and CFCA whistleblower cases, Ingrid and Evans Law Firm, Inc. also handle bank fraud whistleblower cases under FIRREA/FIAFEA, commodity trading and securities fraud under the Commodities Futures Trading Commission Whistleblower Program and the Securities and Exchange Commission Whistleblower Program, and tax fraud under the Internal Revenue Service Whistleblower Program.
[1] Evans Law Firm, Inc. was not involved in the cases in any way.
