August 13, 2013 | Posted By: Hoyer Law Group, PLLC
The James Hoyer Qui Tam Team Whether from personal experience, reading the news or just watching television, most people have some understanding of the basic legal case: a plaintiff sues a defendant, both sides have lawyers that file pleadings and exchange evidence, eventually the case settles or goes to trial where a judge or jury […]
Learn MoreAugust 05, 2013 | Posted By: Hoyer Law Group, PLLC
When Congress amended the False Claims Act (FCA) in 1986, its goal was to increase private individual’s use of the qui tam provision of the FCA. Previous amendments had made the FCA ineffective by eliminating any real incentives for whistleblowers to come forward and failing to protect them when they did. Along with several other […]
Learn MoreJuly 24, 2013 | Posted By: Hoyer Law Group, PLLC
Qui tam attorneys are often approached by potential whistleblowers who have already contacted an employment attorney after being terminated or harassed on the job as a result of blowing the whistle on suspected fraud. Sometimes the whistleblower has already filed an employment case, and other times he or she is planning to file the employment […]
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July 22, 2013 | Posted By: Sean Estes
Al Scudieri – James Hoyer Chief Investigator For the past 35 years, I have been working with False Claims Act whistleblowers (also known as “relators”) first as an FBI agent and later as the Chief Investigator for the James Hoyer law firm. I have found that relators can be just about anyone: doctors, public servants, […]
Learn MoreJuly 15, 2013 | Posted By: Sean Estes
Whistleblowers who come forward with information about fraud against the government are some of the nation’s most courageous and noble citizens. These employees should be honored and coveted by employers for helping companies maintain levels of integrity and professional responsibility. However, the reality is that not all companies respond well to reports of fraud, let […]
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July 09, 2013 | Posted By: Sean Estes
Can a member of the military or other government employee serve as a whistleblower in a qui tam case under the False Claims Act? Lt. Col. Timothy Ferner SAIC Whistleblower The short answer is “yes” — military personnel and other government employees can serve as whistleblowers/relators in a qui tam action pursuant to the federal […]
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July 08, 2013 | Posted By: Sean Estes
First Lady Laura Bush & Air Force Lt Col Timothy Ferner James, Hoyer, Newcomer & Smiljanich, P.A. is proud to announce the $5.75 million settlement of a qui tam case against Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), a government defense contractor. James Hoyer had the privilege of representing Air Force Lt. Col. Timothy Ferner in this […]
Learn MoreJuly 02, 2013 | Posted By: Sean Estes
As of July 1, 2013, a new series of protections came into effect to protect federal contractor or subcontractor employees from being retaliated against for blowing the whistle on fraud, waste or abuse. In the past, a loophole existed in the retaliation protections such that a contractor or subcontractor employee could blow the whistle on […]
Learn MoreJuly 01, 2013 | Posted By: Sean Estes
“Vigorous enforcement of the False Claims Act not only protects taxpayer dollars; it also protects the integrity of important government programs on which so many of us rely.” — Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West, Department of Justice When the Government is defrauded, the taxpayers are defrauded. President Lincoln recognized this when he signed the […]
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June 25, 2013 | Posted By: Sean Estes
Amid a series of high-profile and highly anticipated decisions this week, the Supreme Court made a relatively minor decision with potentially far-reaching consequences for the False Claims Act on June 24, 2013. The highest court in the United States denied a petition for certiorari in a case called Allison Engine Company v. United States ex rel. […]
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June 24, 2013 | Posted By: Sean Estes
The federal False Claims Act provides that when a new case is filed, there are certain rules that must be followed to keep the case confidential and to prevent the defendant from finding out that the government is conducting an investigation. The procedure, known as “filing under seal,” requires that a complaint “shall be filed […]
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June 14, 2013 | Posted By: Sean Estes
Employment Releases and Impact on Qui Tam Case Picture this common scenario: A company employee has reported suspicions of fraud up the chain of command and suddenly finds herself the subject of false or unfair allegations of misconduct and poor performance. As the employee is being pushed out the door, the company offers the employee […]
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