Federal False Claims

Enacted by Congress in 1863, the federal False Claims Act permits the government to recover up to triple damages and substantial civil penalties from those who make a false claim for payment against the U.S. government. The act includes a legal device called a "qui tam" provision that allows a private person, known as a relator or whistleblower, who has information that shows the defendant made a false claim to bring a lawsuit on behalf of the United States, with the relator then sharing in the proceeds.

Click here to read the full federal False Claims Act.

Many states also have their own false claims acts, which are often substantially similar to the federal act. To read a sample state false claims act, see the State False Claims Act link at left.