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Protecting Illinois and Missouri Whistleblowers in Federal Qui Tam Cases

Get rewarded for defending American taxpayers against contractor fraud

We’ve all seen enough movies to know that those who blow the whistle on illegal acts within their companies often face professional retaliation—retaliation that extends to their personal lives and financial security as well.

If you work for a federal contractor, you have a duty as both an employee and taxpayer to expose instances of fraud against the government, but that doesn’t mean you have to step into the spotlight yourself. The whistleblower lawyers at Cueto Law in Belleville work diligently to get your claim heard while protecting your privacy at every step in your case.

By putting country above your own needs, you can save American taxpayers billions of dollars, protect service members and federal employees against faulty or damaged equipment, and thanks to the qui tam provision of the False Claims Act, receive a percentage of the financial recovery which could total in the millions!

What is Qui Tam Law and How Does it Protect St. Louis Whistleblowers?

Congress passed the False Claims Act in 1863 to impose liability on contractors who defraud the government. The FCA was a direct response to the hundreds of companies that followed the Union army around the country, selling them faulty rifles and ammunition, damaged equipment, sick horses, and rancid provisions.

The qui tam provision of the FCA not only protects whistleblowers who bring unethical federal contractors to the government’s attention, but compensates them for putting their own careers at risk. Thanks to these whistleblowers, in 2018, the Justice Department recovered $2.8 billion from cases involving fraud and false claims against the government. Parallel laws in Missouri and Illinois also offer similar remedies and protection for those who expose contractors that steal from the state.

Because of the military bases and large number of government contractors in the St. Louis region, the risk for deception is especially high in our area, and Missouri and Illinois employees have to be especially diligent in identifying any of the following deceptive practices:

  • Overcharging the government for products or services
  • Selling defective equipment or sidestepping federal safeguards
  • False billing or cross-charging
  • Violations in the Truth In Negotiations Act

Why You Should Consult a Qui Tam and Whistleblower Attorney in Southern Illinois?

If you suspect improprieties in your place of business, it’s important to consult with a qui tam lawyer before moving forward with your concern to ensure your identity is kept under wraps.

  • Your attorney will file your whistleblower complaint in court and provide a disclosure statement to the Department of Justice (DOJ). During this time, your claim is kept “under seal,” and only the government is aware of it.
  • The DOJ will open an investigation into the claim, which can take up to two years. At the end of the investigation, the agency will determine whether or not they want to prosecute the case. If not, as a whistleblower, you can still pursue the case on your own.
  • If the DOJ believes the contractor to be at fault, they will move ahead with litigation, though in many cases, the defendant may choose to settle. Whether the contractor is held accountable in court or through a settlement, you will receive a significant portion of the recovery for your disclosure, due diligence and time spent bringing your employer to justice.

The whistleblower attorneys at Cueto Law are experienced in qui tam law and sensitive to the many concerns whistleblowers in St. Louis and Southern Illinois have. To determine if you have a case, contact Cueto Law at 618-277-1554. And as with all the clients we represent, you won’t pay unless your case is won.

You Pay Nothing Unless You Recover

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