Berger & Montague's Whistleblower, Qui
Tam & False Claims Act Group represents Whistleblowers alleging
other types of fraud against the United States and state
governments.
Unfortunately, there are virtually no limits to the number and
type of fraud schemes that unscrupulous individuals can commit.
Below are some additional examples of types of fraud that can
be committed against the government and therefore be subject
to potential detection by whistleblowers and Qui Tam
relators:
- Unclaimed Property and Failure to Escheat --
All 50 states have laws requiring the holders of property that does
not belong to them to give, i.e., "escheat," that property
to the state if the owner cannot be found. Companies that
accumulate unclaimed property and fail to escheat it to the state
in question can be held liable for this conduct.
- Underpayment of Royalties on Federal and Indian
Land -- Companies that operate oil and gas production
facilities on federal or Indian land, and companies that harvest
timber or other resources from the land, such as coal, are required
to pay a percentage of the value of that property to the federal
government and/or Indian tribes. Companies that underpay or fail to
pay these royalties can be held liable for non-payment.
- Customs Fraud -- Companies that import goods to
the United States are required to pay "customs duties" to the
government, which are based on the value of the imported
goods. Companies that undervalue imported goods to avoid
paying the full amount due to the government can be liable for this
conduct.
- Environmental Fraud -- The federal and state
governments pay tens of millions of dollars per year to companies
to clean up hazardous waste sites and to perform other
environmentally-based work. Companies that intentionally
overcharge the government, or who fail to perform the work
designated in their contracts, can be held liable.
- Student Loans -- Federal and state governments
provide low interest loans to students entering various post-high
school academic centers. In recent years, many for-profit
schools illegally have recruited students who are the beneficiaries
of such loans but who are not suited to the school.
For-profit schools also may provide an education to students
while misrepresenting the likelihood that the students will be able
to find a job after graduation. These schools can be held liable
for this conduct.
- TARP/Bailout Funds -- The federal government has
provided hundreds of billions of dollars to companies across the
country in an effort to stimulate the economy. In most cases,
in order to get this money, the companies are required to meet
certain standards, or to agree to use the money in a particular
way. The failure to meet these requirements can lead to
liability.
- "Yield Burning" -- Financial institutions who
charge municipalities excessive prices for United
States Treasuries with respect to certain types of tax exempt
bond refinancing can be held liable for this conduct.
No Fees Without Recovery
Berger & Montague's Whistleblower, Qui Tam & False
Claims Act Group litigates cases on a contingent fee
basis, so whistleblowers do not pay attorneys' fees or court
costs unless there is a recovery.
Contact Us To Learn More
We invite you to learn more about our Whistleblowers, Qui Tam
& False Claims Act Practice Group. For more information or to
schedule a confidential discussion about a potential case, please
fill out the Quick Contact on the right. You can also call us at
(215) 875-4653.