Whistleblowers and Federal Fraud Cases

Whistleblowers are people who know and can prove that the federal government is paying or has paid claims or invoices to companies based on false or misleading information.  They are a key proponent in federal and state government fraud cases and whistleblowers can aid attorneys in representing the government in court. Whistleblowers may be informing the government of fraudulence occurring in their work place or by another company, but the whistleblower must provide proof of fraud.

Every year, hundreds of “qui tam” federal fraud cases are filed by whistleblowers and their attorneys on behalf of the United States government. The individuals represent the federal or state government with the assistance of an attorney and recover money the government has paid to companies or the whistleblower’s work place under false pretences.

Billions of dollars are recovered with the help of whistleblowers and attorneys who come forward with information that leads to the government recouping significant sums of money from the companies, cities or counties who have defrauded it. Successful federal fraud case recoveries have been as high as several hundred million dollars and the Federal False Claims Act ensures that the whistleblower shares between 15 and 30 percent of the money recovered for the government.

The largest source of federal fraud is the healthcare industry, but fraud can be found anywhere including the Department of Education, the Veteran’s Administration, Defense Contractors and the Department of Environmental Protection. A federal fraud case can arise any time a government agency makes purchases from the government or citizens for projects without properly reporting these purchases.

If you believe that you have information that proves that the government
is or has been defrauded, call 212.605.6200 or email

Alan J. Konigsberg