Frequently Asked
Questions
Whistleblowers are not only an integral part of our justice system, but are among the most courageous of all citizens. The cases brought forward by these individuals have resulted in the obstruction of fraud, the recovery of billions of taxpayer dollars, and the continual upholding of integrity in the workplace, the healthcare industry, and the government. In this understanding, various federal whistleblower programs have been conceived in efforts to advocate for those who prioritize morality above all else; these programs often include provisions which both protect and reward them for their assistance in impeding fraudulent activity.
The decision to blow the whistle is undeniably noble, but is not one that comes with ease; in fact, the prospect can be intimidating without knowing what lies ahead. Unanswered questions about anonymity, possible repercussions, and the validity of a potential case can be devastating hindrances to those who are considering becoming a whistleblower.
At Whistleblower Justice Network, we believe that providing a substantial knowledge base for potential whistleblowers is a vital first step in encouraging those who have information to come forward. We are whistleblowers ourselves, which lends to our unwavering dedication to informing, protecting, and working alongside others who are preparing to do the same.
Blowing the Whistle
Fraud takes on many forms, and each case has its own specific set of nuances. Whether you are prepared to blow the whistle on an instance of healthcare fraud, financial fraud, or any other fraudulent scheme to which you have become privy, there are three essential requirements to any claim filed under the False Claims Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, or the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
First and foremost, a potential whistleblower must have concrete evidence of fraud. Any case requires a solid foundation of proof pertaining to the fraud reported, as well as claims that indicate a violation of the aforementioned laws. Examples of actionable misconduct under these acts include, but are not limited to:
- Acts that directly and purposefully cause financial loss to the government
- Fraudulent acts regarding commodities and futures trading, including market manipulation, Ponzi schemes, or improper trading practices
- Other inappropriate sales and business operation tactics, such as insider trading, accounting fraud, or tax evasion
- Deliberate misrepresentation of healthcare claims in order to receive undue reimbursements from government insurance agencies
- Bribing, attempting to bribe, or promising to bribe a foreign official
- The sale or marketing of pharmaceuticals for uses not approved by the FDA
- Submitting bills to the government for products/services that were either substandard, unnecessary, or not provided altogether
Though there is an array of other litigable fraud outside of these categories, those mentioned are the most commonly presented in successful whistleblower suits. The evidence supplied must be specificand original; while not entirely necessary, potential whistleblowers are encouraged to collect as much documentation as possible, as a case backed by a multitude of veritable evidence has much higher likelihood of attracting government interest. A potential whistleblower doesn’t need to witness the fraud firsthand to submit a claim, but it is required that all information provided must be such that the government could not otherwise obtain it – thus, matters of public record are generally not acceptable as primary evidence.
The second requirement for any whistleblower claim involves the “First to File” Rule, which specifies that the case brought forward has yet to be presented by any other whistleblower utilizing the same facts or evidence. Multiple persons may file for the same case if they each have separate and individual proof demonstrating the existence of the fraud; when this occurs, whistleblowers may file jointly or separately dependent on the case. Due to this rule, it is imperative that any information is brought forward at the earliest opportunity to ensure the actionability of your case.
Lastly, the reported fraud must fall under the Statute of Limitations in order for the government to take action. This statute varies from case to case, and is largely contingent on the nature of the fraud; for example, the Dodd-Frank Act requires that all cases are filed within three years of the violation, while the FCPA allows five, and the False Claims Act, six. These statutes are liable to change at any time, which further emphasizes the necessity of seeking counsel as soon as you believe you have a claim.
Whistleblower Justice Network Can Help You
Whistleblower Justice Network partners with potential whistleblowers to guide, inform, and protect them throughout the process of filing a claim. Our case analysts help whistleblowers fully understand, organize and refine the information that they have in their possession.
Complemented by our understanding of the various faces of fraud, Whistleblower Justice Network will help you make your best case, determine the most appropriate law firm to handle your case, and ensure that your case receives the attention it deserves every step of the way. Whistleblower Justice Network has an international team of experts that work alongside our clients to guide them through every aspect of how to report violations under the various government whistleblower programs.
If you have meaningful information regarding any fraud or misconduct that you believe is in violation of the False Claims Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, or the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Whistleblower Justice Network can help. Working alongside world-class legal counsel, we will ensure you are protected to the fullest extent of the law and that you receive credit for the information you bring to the U.S. government. Partnering with whistleblowers is all we do. Visit us at www.whistleblowerjustice.net, or call us at 844-WJN-4ALL.
Defense Contractor Fraud
Defense contractor fraud can be pursued by whistleblowers in 3 primary ways: The False Claims Act, The SEC Whistleblower Program and The IRS Whistleblower Program, depending on the specific allegations involved. Under some circumstances it may make sense to file multiple whistleblower claims utilizing more than one of these whistleblower programs.
Defense industry contractors transact enormous amounts of goods and services with the U.S. government, as well as operating on a global basis, making it an industry ripe for fraud and abuse. If the government is defrauded directly by a defense contractor, the likely course of action will be a False Claims Act whistleblower case and/or a IRS whistleblower action. Given that many defense contractors operate on a worldwide basis, they can be subject to prosecution for violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act as well, which would be brought as a whistleblower action under the SEC Whistleblower Program.
Whistleblower Justice Network works with our clients to ensure that the facts of their case are well-developed and pursued to the fullest extent under the law. After fully assessing the allegations and nuances of your case, WJN will identify a world-class legal team to be retained for the filing of your whistleblower action. Working tirelessly on behalf of our clients every step of the way, we make sure that every whistleblower action gets the right resources and commitment from all involved.
WJN has significant experience in creating whistleblower actions based on the information of more than one whistleblower, oftentimes creating a combined whistleblower case that is stronger than either would be independently. Every whistleblower action is unique, and unpredictable in various ways. Building a strong foundation for every whistleblower action is our core focus. Our compensation is completely contingent on success, and we have the pleasure of working daily with whistleblowers whom have chosen to make a difference.
If you have significant information about defense contractor fraud, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
Whistleblower cases which are related to allegations of defense contractor fraud in the United States are filed under the False Claims Act. The False Claims Act dates back to 1863 and has been used to collect billions in whistleblower rewards, and the original violators were defense contractors during the Civil War. Whistleblower cases filed under the False Claims Act are filed under a federal seal, which is a court order that serves to protect the identity of the whistleblower from the defendants, and the public at large. This seal is generally extended for periods of 12 to 36 months, and at times far longer, during which the whistleblower remains completely anonymous to the defendants and the public eye.
Because of the protection and initial anonymity afforded to whistleblowers under the False Claims Act, many whistleblowers are able to come forward and report fraud while still remaining employed by the defendant. The False Claims Act provides the government powerful tools to investigate credible allegations of fraud, and whistleblowers often provide invaluable information on a successful False Claims Act case.
Whistleblower Justice Network works with our clients to ensure that they are provided the maximum protection under the law, both in terms of maintaining their privacy and pursuing their whistleblower case to the fullest extent of their rights. Whistleblower cases are complex litigation with a host of potential issues, and whether a whistleblower’s identity is ever made public is based on numerous factors.
If you have significant information about defense contractor fraud, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
As a matter of public policy, whistleblowers are protected against retaliation related to reporting the wrongdoing that they uncover. Unfortunately, in many instances whistleblowers who try to remedy the situation they’ve encountered are retaliated against, whether through attempts to bully them into silence, employment reviews and warnings or outright termination. In such instances, whistleblower actions may include separate measures seeking to compensate for this egregious corporate behavior, in addition to those related to the broader allegations of fraud.
Whistleblower protection laws are constantly evolving, and are provided for under numerous branches of the federal government, by various federal laws and by state statutes as well. Employment claims are often part of the evaluation that Whistleblower Justice Network conducts with its clients, and when appropriate WJN engages experienced legal counsel with special expertise in employment law on behalf of its clients. In other instances, the whistleblower protection statutes are part of the whistleblower action itself, and will be fully pursued in combination with any such action.
Whistleblower Justice Network partners with clients on a worldwide basis, fully assessing the rights and needs of each client’s circumstances. Retaliation for having the tenacity and integrity to become a whistleblower is amongst the worst corporate behavior, which we encounter far too often. Partnering with our clients, and pursuing their allegations and any related claims, is all we do as a company, and we do so with the most complete commitment possible.
If you have significant information about defense contractor fraud, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
False Claims Act
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious affliction in which breathing tends to stop and start several times while one sleeps. This sleep disorder is more widespread than one would image, with an estimated 22 million Americans being afflicted by it, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association. What’s worse is that around 80% of cases go undiagnosed.
To identify the most effective treatment option, one must first undergo several tests, which are mostly conducted in sleep labs or sleep centers. These tests can be expensive, ranging from $600 a night to as high as $5,000. Thankfully, these are covered by insurance.
Sadly, some sleep labs have been found to violate the False Claims Act, due to their questionable billing practices aimed at swindling undue reimbursements.
According to the Office of the Inspector General, Medicare reimbursement related to sleep labs rose from $62 million in 2001 to a whopping $235 million in 2009, with a steady rise of 8%-9% every year after that. Sleep labs were able to rob Medicare and Medicaid of vital funding by adopting unlawful techniques when certifying, coding and billing for tests.
Among such fraudulent practices are:
- Double billing for a procedure by “unbundling” certain tests
- Billing for two tests per patient in a day, which is impossible as the tests are conducted overnight
- Manipulating PSG test results to inaccurately make patients eligible for CPAP testing
- Prescribing CPAP equipment from the same lab or an associate / partner, which is in violation of Stark Law
- Offering incentives for referrals for sleep testing
- Conducting in-home tests, while billing them as in-lab tests, which are about fivefold higher in costs
- Patients left unmonitored or being monitored by non-certified personnel
Using a variety of such tactics, sleep labs were able to bill more than $17 million for unnecessary sleep testing between 2005 and 2011, according to the OIG. Sleep apnea is estimated to be a $30 billion industry, which offers huge possibilities for such fraudulent activities. Such fraud can be caught and stopped only with the help of whistleblowers who seeks to do the right thing.
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act was created by the U.S. Congress in 1977 to combat widespread bribery by U.S. companies conducting business worldwide. Over the years the FCPA’s reach has dramatically expanded, and includes far more than “U.S. companies”, a concept no longer particularly relevant in our increasingly global economy.
Dual enforcement of the FCPA is conducted by the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The two classes of FCPA enforcement are anti-bribery and books & records violations, and can cover both civil and criminal behavior. FCPA settlements and investigations have been increasing greatly in recent years, an indication that 35+ years after the FCPA’s enactment there is still a significant need for its existence.
In 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Protection Act empowered whistleblowers to step forward with information and collect an award under the SEC Whistleblower Program. Whistleblower Justice Network has an international team of FCPA experts that work alongside our clients to guide them through every aspect of how to report FCPA violations to the SEC Whistleblower Program.
If you have significant information about violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
FCPA violations come in many different forms, but all violations relate to bribing, promising to bribe or attempting to bribe a foreign government official. The FCPA’s books and records and internal control provisions require companies to keep accurate books or records which reflect the company’s transactions. If a company is bribing foreign officials, the actions are never recorded in their financial statements as “bribe paid to foreign government official”, resulting in a violation of both of these provisions most of the time.
The details as to who qualifies as a “foreign government official” will differ by country, depending on the ownership structure of various industries and other considerations. Bribery at its core is about the substance of the payments being made, as it is often hidden through third-parties, covert accounting practices, bags of cash and numerous other methods.
The legal challenges to FCPA enforcement are likely to expand over the coming years, so it will be interesting to see if bribery continues to evolve into new, increasingly insidious ways. Whistleblower Justice Network has an international team of FCPA experts that work alongside our clients to guide them through every aspect of how to report FCPA violations to the SEC Whistleblower Program.
If you have significant information about violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
Whistleblower cases which are related to violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act are filed under the SEC Whistleblower Program. The opportunity for whistleblowers to report FCPA fraud and receive a whistleblower reward was created in July 2010 with the passage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
FCPA violations occur in a wide variety of ways, and the issues as to what is actionable or not are evolving in many cases. Whistleblowers are likely to accelerate the pace of FCPA prosecutions, however, the implementation of the SEC Whistleblower Program offers several unique challenges. By the nature of the conduct, many whistleblowers can be expected to reside in foreign countries, reporting FCPA violations occuring in other countries – and in many instances likely multiple foreign countries – each with their own privacy and other relevant laws.
Whistleblower Justice Network has an international team of FCPA experts fully-versed in the varied issues that arise related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and related whistleblower actions. WJN works alongside our clients, with our compensation being 100% success-based, to guide them through every aspect of how to report FCPA violations to the SEC Whistleblower Program. Together with our clients, we make a difference.
If you have significant information about violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
Whistleblower actions which are related to violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act are covered by the SEC Whistleblower Program. Whistleblowers may submit an anonymous form to the SEC Whistleblower Program, but must do so in conjunction with being represented by a lawyer. The SEC has stated its broad commitment to maintaining the anonymity of whistleblowers to the fullest extent possible.
Prior to the institution of the SEC Whistleblower Program, which was created by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform & Consumer Protection Act in late 2010, violations of the FCPA were not covered by any whistleblower program. The sheer amount of high-profile FCPA investigations, along with very significant monetary settlements over recent years, leads to a logical conclusion that whistleblowers will have significant opportunity to report FCPA violations under the SEC Whistleblower Program.
Whistleblower Justice Network works with our clients to ensure that they are fully informed of the varied issues related to becoming an SEC whistleblower. The FCPA is a complex law with a host of its own issues, including local country issues, whistleblower protection and evolving case law. Whistleblower Justice Network has an international team of FCPA experts that work alongside our clients to guide them through every aspect of how to report FCPA violations to the SEC Whistleblower Program.
If you have significant information about violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act provides the Department of Justice and the SEC broad discretion to pursue international bribery. Prosecutions of companies and individuals for FCPA violations have occured in many industries, including but not limited to: Pharmaceuticals, Medical Device, Energy, Construction, Telecommunication, Chemicals, Fashion, Retail and many others.
Prosecutions and investigations for violations of the FCPA are a very active area for the DOJ and the SEC, even prior to the SEC Whistleblower Program allowing for whistleblowers to bring FCPA violations to the government’s attention. As the world economy continues to be highly interrelated, prosecution of the FCPA is likely to touch on many more industries over time. While every industy is clearly subject to the FCPA, the dynamics of government ownership in a given country will impact which industries are the most likely violators.
The FCPA is a complex law with wide-ranging implications for many different companies, significant whistleblower protection considerations and evolving case law. Whistleblower Justice Network has an international team of FCPA experts that work alongside our clients to guide them through every aspect of how to report FCPA violations to the SEC Whistleblower Program.
If you have significant information about violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
Whistleblower cases which are related to violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act are filed under the SEC Whistleblower Program. The SEC Whistleblower Program was created as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and it provides that whistleblowers who provide original information that leads to the recovery of monetary sanctions of greater than $1 million by the SEC are to receive between 10% and 30% of such recovery. Monetary sanctions are defined to include penalties, disgorgement and interest.
Whistleblower Justice Network works with our clients to ensure that they are positioned correctly from the outset to seek the maximum reward available to them under the SEC Whistleblower Program. Whistleblower reward percentages are based on the quality, timing and relative value of the information provided by each individual whistleblower, and Whistleblower Justice Network understands this dynamic fully and helps our clients fight for their fair share of the government’s recovery.
If you have significant information about FCPA violations, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower under the SEC Whistleblower Program. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
Simply put, No. Foreign persons acting in the U.S. are subject to the FCPA, as well as U.S. subsidiaries of foreign companies. The country of domicile has become far more irrelevant in modern times where technology has made money more fungible and communications seamless. Multinational companies operating on a global basis need to be wary of FCPA compliance, even if they are not U.S.-domiciled, as their actions could create such liability in many distinct ways, with the government seeking potentially expansive definitions of what it means to be “acting in the U.S.”
Whistleblower Justice Network has an international team of FCPA experts fully-versed in the varied issues that arise related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. WJN works alongside our clients, with our compensation being 100% success-based, to guide them through every aspect of how to report FCPA violations to the SEC Whistleblower Program. Together with our clients, we make a difference.
If you have significant information about FCPA violations, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower under the SEC Whistleblower Program. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
Bribery is at the core of every FCPA violation, and the form of it is diverse, but generally it is the corrupt payment of money or anything of value to a foreign official in order to obtain or retain business. While the U.S. government has taken a somewhat expansive view of this definition, U.S. courts have interpreted it based on a multitude of factors.
There are exceptions under the FCPA in the form of two affirmative defenses – “the local law defense” and “the reasonable and bona fide expeditures defense” — and one exemption to the FCPA, which is for facilitating payments. The two affirmative defenses are rather straightforward, though rarely viable each for their own reaons.
The local law defense essentially makes a bribe legal if it is expressly permitted by local country laws. Given that few countries create statutory authority for the bribing of their officials, this is a defense that is largely moot. The bona fide expenditures defense places the burden on the defendant to prove that the expenditures were “reasonable and bona fide” for the travel expenses of a foreign official conducting business with the company. The sheer magnitude of many FCPA violations precludes justifying them as anything approximating “reasonable and bona fide”.
Facilitating payments are very much as they sound, labeled as such to distinguish them from corrupt payments. The DOJ’s Guide to the FCPA makes it clear that “Labeling a bribe as a ‘facilitating payment’ in a company’s books and records does not make it one.” So, while conceptually the idea that facilitating payments are an exemption from the FCPA is very much true, the DOJ calls facilitating payments a “narrow exception” that “applies only when a payment is made to further ‘routine government action’ that involves non-discretionary acts.”
The FCPA is a complex law that is very simple at its core, which is that bribery is a bad thing and shouldn’t be tolerated by global corporations. Whistleblower Justice Network has an international team of FCPA experts fully-versed in the varied issues that arise related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. WJN works alongside our clients, with our compensation being 100% success-based, to guide them through every aspect of how to report FCPA violations to the SEC Whistleblower Program.
If you have significant information about FCPA violations, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower under the SEC Whistleblower Program. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
Government Procurement Fraud
Government procurement fraud is generally pursued by whistleblowers under The False Claims Act. The U.S. government transacts in a wide array of ways with companies across every industry as it purchases a truly staggering amount of goods and services. Government procurement fraud is therefore an enormously diverse are of fraud, occuring in many ways through a host of schemes.
Whistleblower Justice Network works with our clients to ensure that the facts of their case are well-developed and pursued to the fullest extent under the law. After fully assessing the allegations and nuances of your case, WJN will identify a world-class legal team to be retained for the filing of your whistleblower action. Working tirelessly on behalf of our clients every step of the way, we make sure that every whistleblower action gets the right resources and commitment from all involved.
WJN has significant experience in creating whistleblower actions based on the information of more than one whistleblower, oftentimes creating a combined whistleblower case that is stronger than either would be independently. Every whistleblower action is unique, and unpredictable in various ways. Building a strong foundation for every whistleblower action is our core focus. Our compensation is completely contingent on success, and we have the pleasure of working daily with whistleblowers whom have chosen to make a difference.
If you have significant information about government procurement fraud, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
Whistleblower cases which are related to allegations of defense contractor fraud in the United States are filed under the False Claims Act. The False Claims Act dates back to 1863 and has been used to collect billions in whistleblower rewards, including many different forms of goverment procurement fraud cases. Whistleblower cases filed under the False Claims Act are filed under a federal seal, which is a court order that serves to protect the identity of the whistleblower from the defendants, and the public at large. This seal is generally extended for periods of 12 to 36 months, and at times far longer, during which the whistleblower remains completely anonymous to the defendants and the public eye.
Because of the protection and initial anonymity afforded to whistleblowers under the False Claims Act, many whistleblowers are able to come forward and report fraud while still remaining employed by the defendant. The False Claims Act provides the government powerful tools to investigate credible allegations of fraud, and whistleblowers often provide invaluable information on a successful False Claims Act case.
Whistleblower Justice Network works with our clients to ensure that they are provided the maximum protection under the law, both in terms of maintaining their privacy and pursuing their whistleblower case to the fullest extent of their rights. Whistleblower cases are complex litigation with a host of potential issues, and whether a whistleblower’s identity is ever made public is based on numerous factors.
If you have significant information about government procurement fraud, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
As a matter of public policy, whistleblowers are protected against retaliation related to reporting the wrongdoing that they uncover. Unfortunately, in many instances whistleblowers who try to remedy the situation they’ve encountered are retaliated against, whether through attempts to bully them into silence, employment reviews and warnings or outright termination. In such instances, whistleblower actions may include separate measures seeking to compensate for this egregious corporate behavior, in addition to those related to the broader allegations of fraud.
Whistleblower protection laws are constantly evolving, and are provided for under numerous branches of the federal government, by various federal laws and by state statutes as well. Employment claims are often part of the evaluation that Whistleblower Justice Network conducts with its clients, and when appropriate WJN engages experienced legal counsel with special expertise in employment law on behalf of its clients. In other instances, the whistleblower protection statutes are part of the whistleblower action itself, and will be fully pursued in combination with any such action.
Whistleblower Justice Network partners with clients on a worldwide basis, fully assessing the rights and needs of each client’s circumstances. Retaliation for having the tenacity and integrity to become a whistleblower is amongst the worst corporate behavior, which we encounter far too often. Partnering with our clients, and pursuing their allegations and any related claims, is all we do as a company, and we do so with the most complete commitment possible.
If you have significant information about government procurement fraud, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
Oil & Gas Fraud
Oil & gas fraud can be pursued by whistleblowers in 3 primary ways: The False Claims Act, The SEC Whistleblower Program and The IRS Whistleblower Program, depending on the specific allegations involved. Under some circumstances it may make sense to file multiple whistleblower claims utilizing more than one of these whistleblower programs.
Oil and gas revenues are amongst the government’s highest sources of funding, making it an area ripe for fraud and abuse. If the government is defrauded by energy companies directly, the likely course of action will be a False Claims Act whistleblower case and/or a IRS whistleblower action. Given that many oil & gas companies operate on a worldwide basis, they can be subject to prosecution for violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act as well, which would be brought as a whistleblower action under the SEC Whistleblower Program.
Whistleblower Justice Network works with our clients to ensure that the facts of their case are well-developed and pursued to the fullest extent under the law. After fully assessing the allegations and nuances of your case, WJN will identify a world-class legal team to be retained for the filing of your whistleblower action. Working tirelessly on behalf of our clients every step of the way, we make sure that every whistleblower action gets the right resources and commitment from all involved.
WJN has significant experience in creating whistleblower actions based on the information of more than one whistleblower, oftentimes creating a combined whistleblower case that is stronger than either would be independently. Every whistleblower action is unique, and unpredictable in various ways. Building a strong foundation for every whistleblower action is our core focus. Our compensation is completely contingent on success, and we have the pleasure of working daily with whistleblowers whom have chosen to make a difference.
If you have significant information about oil & gas fraud, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
Whistleblower cases which are related to allegations of oil & gas fraud in the United States are filed under the False Claims Act. The False Claims Act dates back to 1863 and has been used to collect billions in whistleblower rewards, though only a small portion of recoveries has come from the energy industry. Whistleblower cases filed under the False Claims Act are filed under a federal seal, which is a court order that serves to protect the identity of the whistleblower from the defendants, and the public at large. This seal is generally extended for periods of 12 to 36 months, and at times far longer, during which the whistleblower remains completely anonymous to the defendants and the public eye.
Because of the protection and initial anonymity afforded to whistleblowers under the False Claims Act, many whistleblowers are able to come forward and report fraud while still remaining employed by the defendant. The False Claims Act provides the government powerful tools to investigate credible allegations of fraud, and whistleblowers often provide invaluable information on a successful False Claims Act case.
Whistleblower Justice Network works with our clients to ensure that they are provided the maximum protection under the law, both in terms of maintaining their privacy and pursuing their whistleblower case to the fullest extent of their rights. Whistleblower cases are complex litigation with a host of potential issues, and whether a whistleblower’s identity is ever made public is based on numerous factors.
If you have significant information about oil & gas fraud, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
As a matter of public policy, whistleblowers are protected against retaliation related to reporting the wrongdoing that they uncover. Unfortunately, in many instances whistleblowers who try to remedy the situation they’ve encountered are retaliated against, whether through attempts to bully them into silence, employment reviews and warnings or outright termination. In such instances, whistleblower actions may include separate measures seeking to compensate for this egregious corporate behavior, in addition to those related to the broader allegations of fraud.
Whistleblower protection laws are constantly evolving, and are provided for under numerous branches of the federal government, by various federal laws and by state statutes as well. Employment claims are often part of the evaluation that Whistleblower Justice Network conducts with its clients, and when appropriate WJN engages experienced legal counsel with special expertise in employment law on behalf of its clients. In other instances, the whistleblower protection statutes are part of the whistleblower action itself, and will be fully pursued in combination with any such action.
Whistleblower Justice Network partners with clients on a worldwide basis, fully assessing the rights and needs of each client’s circumstances. Retaliation for having the tenacity and integrity to become a whistleblower is amongst the worst corporate behavior, which we encounter far too often. Partnering with our clients, and pursuing their allegations and any related claims, is all we do as a company, and we do so with the most complete commitment possible.
If you have significant information about oil & gas fraud, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
Whistleblower cases which are related to many kinds of allegations of oil & gas fraud in the United States are filed under the False Claims Act. The False Claims Act provides that whistleblowers, also known as relators under the FCA, be rewarded with a percentage of the money recovered by the government. Generally speaking, the percentage paid to whistleblowers ranges from 15% to 30% of the recovery, and has amounted to billions of dollars over the past 25+ years. False Claims Act whistleblower cases are complex litigation with a host of potential issues, and a whistleblower’s ultimate reward percentage can vary widely depending on a number of considerations.
Whistleblower Justice Network works with our clients to ensure that they are positioned correctly from the outset to seek the maximum reward available to them under the False Claims Act. Whistleblower reward percentages are based on the quality, timing and relative value of the information provided by each individual whistleblower, and Whistleblower Justice Network understands this dynamic fully and helps our clients fight for their fair share of the government’s recovery.
If you have significant information about oil & gas fraud, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
Healthcare Fraud
Whistleblower cases regarding any facet of healthcare fraud in the United States are filed under the False Claims Act. The False Claims Act dates back to 1863 and has been used to collect billions in whistleblower rewards, more than 60% of the proceeds of which have come from the pharmaceutical industry. Whistleblower cases filed under the False Claims Act are filed under a federal seal, which is a court order that serves to protect the identity of the whistleblower from the defendants, and the public at large. This seal is generally extended for periods of 12 to 36 months, and at times far longer, during which the whistleblower remains completely anonymous to the defendants and the public eye.
Because of the protection and initial anonymity afforded to whistleblowers under the False Claims Act, many whistleblowers are able to come forward and report fraud while still remaining employed by the defendant. The False Claims Act provides the government powerful tools to investigate credible allegations of fraud, and whistleblowers often provide invaluable information on a successful False Claims Act case.
Healthcare fraud comes in a multitude of forms, including:
- Medicare and Medicaid Fraud
- Durable Medical Equipment Fraud
- Medical Device Fraud
- PBM & Pharmacy Fraud
- Hospice Fraud
- Home Healthcare Fraud
- Hospital Fraud
- Nursing Home Fraud
- Ambulance Fraud
Whistleblower Justice Network works with our clients to ensure that they are provided the maximum protection under the law, both in terms of maintaining their privacy and pursuing their whistleblower case to the fullest extent of their rights. Whistleblower cases are complex litigation with a host of potential issues, and whether a whistleblower’s identity is ever made public is based on numerous factors.
If you have significant information about any kind of healthcare fraud, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
As a matter of public policy, whistleblowers are protected against retaliation related to reporting the wrongdoing that they uncover. Unfortunately, in many instances whistleblowers who try to remedy the situation they’ve encountered are retaliated against, whether through attempts to bully them into silence, employment reviews and warnings or outright termination. In such instances, whistleblower actions may include separate measures seeking to compensate for this egregious corporate behavior, in addition to those related to the broader allegations of fraud.
Whistleblower protection laws are constantly evolving, and are provided for under numerous branches of the federal government, by various federal laws and by state statutes as well. Employment claims are often part of the evaluation that Whistleblower Justice Network conducts with its clients, and when appropriate WJN engages experienced legal counsel with special expertise in employment law on behalf of its clients. In other instances, the whistleblower protection statutes are part of the whistleblower action itself, and will be fully pursued in combination with any such action.
Whistleblower Justice Network partners with clients on a worldwide basis, fully assessing the rights and needs of each client’s circumstances. Retaliation for having the tenacity and integrity to become a whistleblower is amongst the worst corporate behavior, which we encounter far too often. Partnering with our clients, and pursuing their allegations and any related claims, is all we do as a company, and we do so with the most complete commitment possible.
If you have significant information about healthcare fraud of any kind, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
Whistleblower cases which are related to allegations of any form of healthcare fraud in the United States are filed under the False Claims Act. The False Claims Act provides that whistleblowers, also known as relators under the FCA, be rewarded with a percentage of the money recovered by the government. Generally speaking, the percentage paid to whistleblowers ranges from 15% to 30% of the recovery, and has amounted to billions of dollars over the past 25+ years. Whistleblower cases that involve the healthcare industry are complex litigation with a host of potential issues, and a whistleblower’s ultimate reward percentage can vary widely depending on a number of considerations.
Whistleblower Justice Network works with our clients to ensure that they are positioned correctly from the outset to seek the maximum reward available to them under the False Claims Act. Whistleblower reward percentages are based on the quality, timing and relative value of the information provided by each individual whistleblower, and Whistleblower Justice Network understands this dynamic fully and helps our clients fight for their fair share of the government’s recovery.
If you have significant information about any kind of healthcare fraud, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful False Claims Act whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
Among the most common forms of healthcare fraud are:
Hospice Fraud: This type of healthcare fraud goes largely undetected, as the patients are most the elderly, terminally ill or incapacitated. Hospice fraud includes:
- Admitting non-terminal patients. This is particularly unfortunate, since these patients are denied the right to curative medical treatment
- Certifying consent for hospice care by forging documents or misleading patients
- Filing claims for non-rendered services
- Falsifying medical records and billing multiple times for the same treatment
Pharmaceutical Fraud: Giving the skyrocketing medical costs, the pharma industry is ripe for fraud. Whistleblowers have helped the US government recover more than $27 billion generated from fraudulent practices. Examples of such practices, which seem to have become commonplace in large pharma companies, are:
- Incentives to physicians to prescribe medicines
- Off-label marketing of drugs for purposes that have not received FDA approval
- Manipulating data during research trials
- Not offering the best price to the government
Sleep Center Fraud: Sleep centers or sleep labs that conduct tests for the accurate diagnosis of sleep apnea are often found in violation of the False Claims Act. Among the fraudulent practices adopted by sleep centers are:
- Double billing for procedures
- Manipulating PSG test results to falsely show that a patient needs CPAP testing
- Offering incentives for referrals
- Submitting bills for in-lab tests, while conducting in-home tests
Total healthcare spending in the US was estimated at around $3.4 trillion in 2016, and is projected to reach nearly $5.5 trillion by 2025, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Given the mammoth size and rapid growth of the healthcare industry, it presents a lucrative arena for all kinds of fraud. The total cost of falsified claims is difficult to estimate, although here are some figures that offer an idea of how large it is.
In 2016, the government obtained over $4.7 billion in whistleblower civil settlements and judgements involving fraud and false claims. Of this, $2.5 billion came from the healthcare industry.
Total annual recoveries have averaged almost $4 billion since 2009. Between 2009 and 2016, a total of $31.3 billion have been recovered.
Pharmaceutical Fraud
Whistleblower cases which are related to allegations of pharmaceutical fraud in the United States are filed under the False Claims Act. The False Claims Act dates back to 1863 and has been used to collect billions in whistleblower rewards, more than 60% of the proceeds of which have come from the pharmaceutical industry. Whistleblower cases filed under the False Claims Act are filed under a federal seal, which is a court order that serves to protect the identity of the whistleblower from the defendants, and the public at large. This seal is generally extended for periods of 12 to 36 months, and at times far longer, during which the whistleblower remains completely anonymous to the defendants and the public eye.
Because of the protection and initial anonymity afforded to whistleblowers under the False Claims Act, many whistleblowers are able to come forward and report fraud while still remaining employed by the defendant. The False Claims Act provides the government powerful tools to investigate credible allegations of fraud, and whistleblowers often provide invaluable information on a successful False Claims Act case.
Whistleblower Justice Network works with our clients to ensure that they are provided the maximum protection under the law, both in terms of maintaining their privacy and pursuing their whistleblower case to the fullest extent of their rights. Whistleblower cases are complex litigation with a host of potential issues, and whether a whistleblower’s identity is ever made public is based on numerous factors.
If you have significant information about pharmaceutical fraud, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
As a matter of public policy, whistleblowers are protected against retaliation related to reporting the wrongdoing that they uncover. Unfortunately, in many instances whistleblowers who try to remedy the situation they’ve encountered are retaliated against, whether through attempts to bully them into silence, employment reviews and warnings or outright termination. In such instances, whistleblower actions may include separate measures seeking to compensate for this egregious corporate behavior, in addition to those related to the broader allegations of fraud.
Whistleblower protection laws are constantly evolving, and are provided for under numerous branches of the federal government, by various federal laws and by state statutes as well. Employment claims are often part of the evaluation that Whistleblower Justice Network conducts with its clients, and when appropriate WJN engages experienced legal counsel with special expertise in employment law on behalf of its clients. In other instances, the whistleblower protection statutes are part of the whistleblower action itself, and will be fully pursued in combination with any such action.
Whistleblower Justice Network partners with clients on a worldwide basis, fully assessing the rights and needs of each client’s circumstances. Retaliation for having the tenacity and integrity to become a whistleblower is amongst the worst corporate behavior, which we encounter far too often. Partnering with our clients, and pursuing their allegations and any related claims, is all we do as a company, and we do so with the most complete commitment possible.
If you have significant information about pharmaceutical fraud, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
Whistleblower cases which are related to allegations of pharmaceutical fraud in the United States are filed under the False Claims Act. The False Claims Act provides that whistleblowers, also known as relators under the FCA, be rewarded with a percentage of the money recovered by the government. Generally speaking, the percentage paid to whistleblowers ranges from 15% to 30% of the recovery, and has amounted to billions of dollars over the past 25+ years. Pharmaceutical whistleblower cases are complex litigation with a host of potential issues, and a whistleblower’s ultimate reward percentage can vary widely depending on a number of considerations.
Whistleblower Justice Network works with our clients to ensure that they are positioned correctly from the outset to seek the maximum reward available to them under the False Claims Act. Whistleblower reward percentages are based on the quality, timing and relative value of the information provided by each individual whistleblower, and Whistleblower Justice Netowrk understands this dynamic fully and helps our clients fight for their fair share of the government’s recovery.
If you have significant information about pharmaceutical fraud, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful False Claims Act whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
SEC Whistleblower Program
Any individual or group of individuals, from anywhere in the world, regardless of their country of citizenship, can report fraud under the SEC Whistleblower Program. SEC whistleblowers can report fraud that is derived from a wide array of sources, including information available in the public domain, under many circumstances. Ultimately, the value of a whistleblower’s submission to the SEC Whistleblower Program will be determined by the outcome of the SEC’s investigation, and the whistleblower’s relative contribution to it.
Similar to whistleblower cases brough under the False Claims Act, it would be reasonable to expect that large SEC whistleblower cases may have multiple whistleblowers, each of whom brought their information to the SEC independently. While they are subject to more rigorous qualifications, in-house legal counsel, accountants, directors, officers and corporate compliance and audit personnel are all eligible to be whistleblowers under the SEC Whistleblower Program. Whistleblower Justice Network works with our clients to ensure that they are fully informed of the varied issues related to becoming an SEC whistleblower. Our international team of whistleblower experts work alongside our clients to guide them through every aspect of how to report fraud to the SEC Whistleblower Program.
If you have significant information about fraud you believe may be covered under the SEC Whistleblower Program, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.
Whistleblowers may submit an anonymous form to the SEC Whistleblower Program, but must do so in conjunction with being represented by a lawyer. The SEC has stated its broad commitment to maintaining the anonymity of whistleblowers to the fullest extent possible. While the SEC Whistleblower Program provides significant financial incentives to whistleblowers, protecting whistleblowers is both good public policy and a way to ensure that whistleblowers help drive the SEC Whistleblower Program’s ultimate success.
Whistleblower Justice Network works with our clients to ensure that they are fully informed of the varied issues related to becoming an SEC whistleblower. Our international team of whistleblower experts work alongside our clients to guide them through every aspect of how to report fraud to the SEC Whistleblower Program.
If you have significant information about fraud you believe may be covered under the SEC Whistleblower Program, Whistleblower Justice Network can help you become a successful whistleblower. Our clients benefit from our expertise, extensive relationships and 20+ years of combined experience as whistleblowers. Contact us today for your free, 100% confidential consultation.