Practice area: Whistleblowers / Qui Tam Actions

Qui Tam cases allow individuals, sometimes referred to as “whistleblowers,” to bring lawsuits against businesses that are defrauding taxpayers. This type of action was created by Congress during the Civil War, after military suppliers provided defective equipment to the Union soldiers. 31 U.S.C. § 3729. As a result, Congress empowered any one who was aware of such conduct to bring an action qui tam pro domino rege quam pro sic ipso in hoc parte sequitier — “who for the king as well as for himself sues in this matter” — on behalf of the government against the wrongdoer.

Qui Tam lawsuits are brought on behalf of the state or federal government, and are usually brought under the state or federal False Claims Act. CP&M has successfully represented numerous Qui Tam plaintiffs against companies that have defrauded the government, resulting in large recoveries of taxpayer money by the government, and substantial awards for whistleblowers. In most cases, CP&M works with government attorneys to litigate Qui Tam lawsuits.

If you are aware of fraud against the government, you may contact us at TAKE ACTION to explore your legal rights.

CP&M has recently brought the following Qui Tam lawsuits:

California ex rel. Richardson v. Ischemia Research & Education Foundation
San Francisco Superior Court No. 964656
Qui tam California False Claims Act case against research foundation for failure to pay direct and overhead costs in clinical drug studies to its host university.

United States v. Columbia HCA
N.D. Cal. No. C-97-2943-TEH
Qui tam False Claims Act litigation against healthcare provider for false billing.

United States v. Tenet Healthcare Corporation
C.D. Cal No. EDCV 03-809-VAP
Qui tam False Claims Act litigation against healthcare provider for false claims for payment.