A suit under the False Claims Act, also known as a “qui tam” action, allows people who have insider information of fraud against the Government, known as a “relator” or “whistleblower,” to file a suit to help stop the perpetrators from defrauding the United States Government. The False Claims Act seeks to deter fraud against the United States Government by providing for penalties of three times the amount of the fraud in addition to fines of $5,000 to $10,000 per violation. It is estimated that the United States has collected almost $8 billion in fines and penalties in False Claims Act cases since 1986.
The False Claims Act encourages whistleblowers that are aware of fraud being perpetrated against the Government to report and civilly prosecute those responsible for the unlawful actions against the United States. If the whistleblower’s case is either settled or a judgment is rendered against the offending defendant, the whistleblower is entitled to up to 30% of the Government’s recovery as a reward for coming forward. The False Claims Act also prohibits employers from retaliating against whistleblowers, and allows whistleblowers that are retaliated against to sue for their damages. Ultimately, whistleblowers save the United States money by recouping the fraudulent losses they report and by deterring future frauds against the Government.
Top rated attorney Joe Griffith has a wealth of experience in the legal fields of personal injury and wrongful deaths. Joe Griffith Law Firm is located in Charleston County and Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, and Joe Griffith devotes 100% of his practice to litigation. Serious and catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death litigation are a major focus of our practice. Joseph P. Griffith, Jr. is designated as an AV rated lawyer by the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell's attorney rating company, signifying the highest possible ranking for legal ability and ethics as judged by peers in the legal profession. Joe Griffith Law Firm is dedicated to providing outstanding legal service to each of its clients and will fight to obtain all of the compensation due JGLF's clients under the law. Client satisfaction is the law firm's number one goal.
Although there has been some debate as to what qualifies as a white collar crime, the term today generally encompasses a variety of nonviolent crimes committed by business people, entrepreneurs, public officials and professionals through deception for the purpose of financial gain.
The phrase "white collar crime" was coined in 1939 during a speech given by Edwin Sutherland to the American Sociological Society. Sutherland defined the term as "crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation."
Many white collar crimes are especially difficult to prosecute because the perpetrators are sophisticated criminals who have attempted to conceal their activities through a series of complex transactions. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), white collar crime is estimated to cost the United States more than $300 billion annually.
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Joe Griffith Law Firm, LLC (sometimes "JGLF") exclusively practices litigation, led by top rated trial attorney Joseph P. Griffith, Jr., a former federal prosecutor. Located at 946 Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, Mt Pleasant, S.C., Joe Griffith Law Firm, LLC handles cases in South Carolina and, on a select basis, nationwide.
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