The False Claims Act allows private citizens to file suit on behalf of the United States and recover a share of the proceeds. A former Assistant U.S. Attorney can help you evaluate whether your situation qualifies — and how to move forward safely.
The False Claims Act is the federal government's primary civil tool for combating fraud. It allows a private citizen — called a "relator" — to file a lawsuit on behalf of the United States against anyone who has knowingly submitted false claims for government payment. If the case succeeds, the relator typically receives 15% to 30% of the total recovery.
In fiscal year 2025, the Department of Justice recovered more than $6.8 billion under the False Claims Act — $5.3 billion of that came directly from qui tam whistleblower cases. These are not rare outcomes. They are the product of a statute designed, since its 1986 amendments, to reward people who come forward with knowledge the government doesn't have.
The process is highly structured. You file under seal, serve the government with a detailed disclosure statement, and wait while DOJ investigates. Whether the government intervenes — and how aggressively — often determines the ultimate value of the case. That intervention decision is exactly what Rob spent years evaluating from the other side.
Of the government's total recovery is paid to the whistleblower when a case succeeds. In large healthcare or defense contractor cases, this can represent significant compensation.
The FCA provides for treble damages — three times the amount the government was defrauded — plus civil penalties per false claim.
Federal money flows through healthcare systems, defense contractors, universities, nonprofits, and government programs. When that money is obtained through false representations, the False Claims Act may apply.
Upcoding, billing for services not rendered, kickbacks, off-label drug promotion, and false cost reports to Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE.
Inflated labor costs, defective products delivered to the military, false testing certifications, and billing for work not performed on federal contracts.
Misuse of federal research grants, falsified data in grant applications, and misrepresentation of how federal funds were spent by universities or nonprofits.
Procurement fraud, false certifications of compliance, cybersecurity failures in federal contractor systems, and customs or tariff evasion on federally purchased goods.
When Rob was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Oregon, he evaluated False Claims Act matters — reviewing disclosure statements, assessing evidence, and recommending whether DOJ should commit investigative resources. He understands the internal logic of those decisions in a way that most plaintiffs' attorneys never have access to. He also knows how to present a relator's case to make DOJ intervention more likely, not less. That's not a marketing claim. It's a structural advantage that changes case strategy from the first filing.
The False Claims Act is powerful, but it's also precise. Not every instance of government contractor misconduct translates into a viable qui tam action. The strongest cases share several characteristics:
Our screening process is designed to evaluate these factors honestly — including factors that might weigh against filing. We'd rather tell you that upfront than file a case that won't survive.
Washington state has its own Medicaid Fraud False Claims Act, made permanent by the legislature in 2023. For matters involving Washington Medicaid fraud, both federal and state remedies may be available — and the state Attorney General's office actively coordinates enforcement.
Major federal facilities and contractors in Washington — including Department of Energy contractors at Hanford, defense contractors in the Puget Sound region, and TRICARE providers — create a robust pipeline of potential federal FCA matters that the District of Oregon and Western District of Washington both actively prosecute.
In February 2026, a Hanford Site contractor settled a qui tam case for $3.45 million after a whistleblower alleged fraudulent labor cost inflation. The relator received $793,500.