The government contract attorneys at Eckland & Blando LLP successfully defend clients against civil lawsuits filed under the False Claims Act including qui tam actions commonly called "whistleblower lawsuits." Qui tam actions are lawsuits filed under the False Claims Act that are brought by a private individual on behalf of the federal government.

Violations under the False Claims Act include:

1. knowingly presenting (or causing to be presented) to the Federal Government a false or fraudulent claim for payment;
2. knowingly using (or causing to be used) a false record or statement to get a claim paid by the Federal Government;
3. conspiring with others to get a false or fraudulent claim paid by the Federal Government; and
4. knowingly using (or causing to be used) a false record or statement to conceal, avoid, or decrease an obligation to pay money or transmit property to the Federal Government.

If a company or individual is found to have violated the False Claims Act, civil penalties of $5,500 to $11,000 for each false claim may be imposed along with a liability for three times the dollar amount that the Government was defrauded.

At Eckland & Blando LLP, we zealously defend our clients against these lawsuits, ensuring their rights are protected.