As we move into 2019, we reflect on the work that we have done on behalf of our clients. What an amazing year 2018 was. The government reported that of the $2.8 Billion it recovered under the False Claims Act in 2018, over $2.1 Billion resulted from lawsuits filed under the qui tam provisions by many brave whistleblowers.
The Department of Justice press release provides:
Of the $2.8 billion in settlements and judgments reported by the government in fiscal year 2018, over $2.1 billion arose from lawsuits filed under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. During the same period, the government paid out $301 million to the individuals who exposed fraud and false claims by filing these actions.
The number of lawsuits filed under the qui tam provisions of the Act has grown significantly since 1986, with 645 qui tam suits filed this past year – an average of more than 12 new cases every week.
“Whistleblowers have played a vital role in unmasking fraudulent schemes that might otherwise evade detection,” said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt. “The taxpayers owe a debt of gratitude to those who often put much on the line to expose such schemes.”
We at The Schechter Legal Group look forward to continuing this courageous work in 2019.
Click here to link to the DOJ’s press release.