The False Claims Act (FCA) contains procedural mechanisms, including the qui tam provision, which allow private citizens to bring a lawsuit on behalf of the United States government against a person or business that has defrauded the government. Whether dealing with Medicare fraud, defense contract fraud, government contract fraud, customs fraud, or other types of fraud, each scheme has a core of facts. Documents often provide the best evidence for proving fraud, even more than witness testimony … [Read more...]
Whistleblowers needed to report Medicare Advantage fraud targeting veterans
Private insurers have been selling Medicare Advantage (MA) plans specifically aimed at veterans, promising to cover any gaps in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs coverage. Speaking with an experienced Medicare Advantage fraud whistleblower attorney can help veterans and insiders expose when these promises fall short.That could be great — if the plans ended up providing useful coverage. But a research article published by Health Affairs found that the plans end up with private insurers … [Read more...]
A Proven Fraud Fighting Formula: Whistleblowers + FCA Equals Justice
Fraudsters try a variety of methods to swindle the federal government, crossing industries and contracts, often diverting taxpayer funds to line corporate coffers.Fortunately, the False Claims Act — an old law that still has teeth — broadly prohibits fraud against the federal government and offers a way for courageous False Claims Act whistleblowers to expose it.For example: A sampling of three cases that were recently resolved illustrate the wide range of how the government can be … [Read more...]
False Claims Act Settlements Topped $2.9 Billion in Fiscal Year 2024
On January 15, 2025, the Department of Justice announced that False Claims Act settlements and judgments for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024 totaled more than $2.9 billion. In making this announcement, Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer emphasized the critical role that the False Claims Act plays in guarding against fraud on the government.Continuing a trend over recent years, more than half of the amounts recovered, over $1.67 billion of the $2.9 … [Read more...]
The False Claims Act Knowledge Standard: Supreme Court Will Hear the Fraud Loophole Case
The Supreme Court will hear arguments this spring on the False Claims Act knowledge standard, in a case described as the “biggest threat” the False Claims Act has faced since it was modernized four decades ago.It’s an issue that could undercut the FCA’s ability to hold bad actors accountable and recover taxpayer money—$72 billion and counting since the statute was revamped in 1986.How the Seventh Circuit’s SuperValu Ruling Created the Loophole The issue arose from the Seventh Circuit’s … [Read more...]