In order for people to serve as relators in qui tam actions, they must meet certain parameters. The False Claims Act and the courts have outlined the requirements that people must meet. People who have knowledge of fraud against the government may want to talk to the attorneys at Swartz Swidler about whether or not they are able to serve as relators.
Eligiblity to be a relator
Relators are people who bring qui tam actions for the U.S. government. They do not need to have suffered personal harm from the violations that they report. While people are able to serve as relators, there are certain things to know.
In most cases, relators are former or current employees of the entity that has defrauded the U.S. government or contractors who have done business with the entity. Relators must have information about the fraud that the general public cannot access. The government is willing to share the proceeds it collects with relators because they are giving the government access to information that the government could otherwise not obtain. Relators also cannot be federal employees.
Informal qualifications of a relator
There are also some informal requirements that may help people who serve as relators. People who are able to handle risk may do better in the role. People who decide to blow the whistle on their employers for fraud are likely to suffer workplace retaliation. If they are fired, they might have trouble securing employment with the same or a similar company again.
Relators must consider the potential rewards and the risks of serving in the role. They might want to think about how much money they might receive as well as how hard it might be to prove that the fraud has occurred. They should understand the risks that are involved when they report company fraud to the government.
Some relators are motivated to serve in the role because of their moral convictions. These people want to report the fraudulent activities because they are unlawful, unethical or improper. Since there are substantial risks, relators who are not serving in the role for the potential monetary rewards will need to have a strong belief in what’s right so that they can continue pursuing the action.
Contact Swartz Swidler
If you believe that you have knowledge of fraud against the government and have the qualifications that you will need to serve as a qui tam relator, you may need legal help. Contact the experienced attorneys at Swartz Swidler today.
