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Trial lawyers from three different Hampton Roads, Virginia
law firms have joined together to help whistleblowers stop
theft from the government - the government all of us pay for.
The Federal False Claims Act, also known as the Qui Tam law,
is a system put in place that allows private citizens, with
the help of their own attorneys, to stop fraud against the
government and to claim handsome rewards for their efforts.
Anywhere in America, if a hospital charges Medicare twice
for the same procedure, a defense contractor bills the government
for man-hours worked on a private contract, a supplier-manufacturer
passes off substandard or defective parts, or just "the
usual" padding of contractor's bills submitted to Uncle
Sam, we all pay. Over and over. Every day. Now, you can help
put an end to it and be substantially rewarded for your efforts.
THE FEDERAL FALSE CLAIMS ACT
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A federal law allows private citizens to fight corruption
where they see it: Where they work. The False Claims Act,
during its decade-long history as a statute with real teeth,
has allowed scores of private citizens, with the help of their
private attorneys, to sue the wrongdoers, acting like a private
attorney general. Working with the United States Department
of Justice and other agencies, these citizens can make a real
difference.
VIRGINIA STATE FALSE CLAIMS ACT
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In 2002, Virginia enacted a false claims law called the "Fraud
Against Taxpayers Act" ("FATA"), which takes
effect in January, 2003. It is similar to the Federal False
Claims Act in its application and penalties, but the citizen
and their private attorneys work along with the State Attorney’s
General Office. It imposes treble damages and penalties of
between $5,000 and $10,000 for knowingly submitting each false
claim or statement (among other things) to the Commonwealth
for payment.
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