If you have knowledge of fraud that was or is being committed against the federal government, you may be able to blow the whistle through a qui tam suit brought under the provisions of the False Claims Act - a legal mechanism designed to punish entities that defraud the government, while rewarding individuals who disclose and prosecute the fraud.

At Mehri & Skalet, PLLC, our experienced team of attorneys has worked on many qui tam and whistleblower cases that seek to expose, punish and deter fraud perpetrated against the federal government and U.S. taxpayers. Cyrus Mehri has substantial experience developing and litigating False Claims Act cases and brings that expertise to our practice group, which seeks to work closely with the federal government in prosecuting fraud on behalf of our whistleblower clients.

What Is Qui Tam?

Whistleblower cases are also referred to as qui tam cases.

"qui tam" is an abbreviated Latin phrase that means "he who sues on behalf of the King as well as for himself." qui tam plaintiffs are individuals who bring cases on behalf of the federal government, as well as for themselves. The False Claims Act has a qui tam provision that gives whistleblowers the right to prosecute these cases -- and rewards them handsomely for their efforts. When a whistleblower brings a qui tam case under the False Claims Act, he or she is referred to as a "Relator. "

History of Qui Tam

In the 1860s, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law a federal statute to fight fraud. The law, known as the False Claims Act or the "Lincoln Law," punishes those who defraud the federal government and rewards persons who disclose and prosecute the fraud.

In 1986, Congress breathed new life into the False Claims Act. To punish those who defraud the government, Congress increased the statute's penalties and damage provisions. And to ensure that those who defraud the government are caught and prosecuted, Congress greatly strengthened the whistleblower provision by increasing the whistleblower's share of any money recovered by the government. Congress also expanded whistleblower rights under the statute, awarding successful whistleblowers attorneys' fees to encourage their lawyers to take on sometimes daunting legal battles, and creating a unique provision to protect whistleblowers from retaliation.

Mehri & Skalet, PLLC, handles a full array of qui tam litigation, from defense industry procurement fraud, to healthcare fraud, to a host of other procurement and program fraud cases.