GOVERNMENT FRAUD

"Whistle-blowers" are people who know and can prove that the federal government is paying or has paid claims or invoices to the wrongdoers based upon false or misleading information.

Every year, hundreds of “qui tam” cases are filed by whistle-blowers also know as “relators” on behalf of the United States government. The expression ““qui tam" is an abbreviation from the Latin “Qui tam pro domino rege quam pro sic ipso in hoc parte sequitur” meaning “who as well for the king as for himself sues in this matter.”

Billions of dollars are recovered with the help of citizens who come forward with information that leads to the government recouping significant sums of money from the individuals, companies, cities or counties who have defrauded it. Successful recoveries have been as high as several hundred million dollars, with the whistle-blower/relator sharing a minimum of 15 percent and a maximum of 30 percent of the money recovered for the government.

In addition, state and local bodies of government, such as the State of New York and the City of New York, have also established whistle-blower laws that allow recovery for “whistle-blowers” who can prove fraud against a government body. These statutes also protect whistle-blowers from retaliation by their employer.

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