Qui tam whistleblowers (also known as relators) play a vital role in exposing fraud, waste, and misconduct. Our team has represented these courageous individuals, helping the government recover hundreds of millions of dollars in stolen taxpayer money.

Under the False Claims Act qui tam provision, individuals who have information regarding fraud against the U.S. government can sue on their behalf and potentially earn a share of the recovered funds, which ranges between 15% and 30% if successful.

Given that you’re suing on behalf of the U.S. government, a U.S.-based attorney is required to file a qui tam lawsuit. And there is no better team than IWA to represent you. We’ve been intimately involved in strengthening the FCA since 1986.

• What is Qui Tam?

  Qui tam is a legal provision under the False Claims Act that allows private citizens to file lawsuits on behalf of the government against those who have committed fraud, entitling the whistleblower to receive a percentage of any funds recovered.

You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to become eligible – anybody with information can become a qui tam relator. This means employees in the public or private sector working in healthcare, defense, or finance, among other industries funded by government contracts.

If you have information about someone engaged in government contract fraud, contact IWA to speak with an international qui tam attorney. We can help you build your case and guide you through the qui tam process.

Our Qui Tam Practice

IWA represents whistleblowers who have inside information regarding a violation of the CEA, Since 1988, the federal whistleblower attorneys at IWA have represented numerous whistleblowers in several high-profile precedent-setting cases. We’re experts in qui tam lawsuits with a complete understanding of how the False Claims Act works.

Our attorneys represent whistleblowers in cases involving healthcare fraud, such as upcoding, unbundling, and kickbacks, as well as government contracting fraud, customs fraud, grant fraud, and procurement fraud, among other areas.

Recently, our team provided input to Senator Grassley and a bipartisan group of Senators, which led to the False Claims Amendments Act of 2023. We ensured that the bill addresses loopholes that have diminished the efficacy of the FCA in recent years.

Ready to Submit a Tip?

If you have information about an individual or organization engaged in fraud against the U.S. government, reach out for a free and confidential consultation to explore your legal options — a U.S. based attorney is required to file a qui tam lawsuit.

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Our Qui Tam Attorneys

Our attorneys have received the highest peer-reviewed achievements that can be earned, including being awarded America’s Top Lawyers List for 2025, among hundreds of others that date back to 1988. Our founding advocates boast an AV Preeminent® rating from the Martindale-Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™ — the highest rating one can receive.

• 

  David K. Colapinto

  Supervising Attorney

  Leading whistleblower attorney and expert across all practice areas.

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• 

  Stephen M. Kohn

  Chief Supervising Attorney

  Stephen M. Kohn is one of the nation’s leading whistleblower attorneys.

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• 

  Todd Yoder

  Supervising Attorney

  Represents whistleblowers in both federal litigation and whistleblower reward programs.

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Our Qui Tam Case Victories

Alex “Sasha” Chepurko

Exposed a $100 Million Biofuels Scam

At just 21 years old, Alex “Sasha” Chepurko exposed a $100 million biofuels scam — becoming one of the youngest whistleblowers to take on a major fraud scheme.

While working for Caravan Trading, Chepurko discovered the company was selling finished biodiesel to e-Biofuels, which then falsified paperwork to claim it had manufactured the fuel and collect government tax credits and EPA renewable fuel incentives.

After secretly recording his boss admitting the fraud, Chepurko filed claims under three separate whistleblower programs—the False Claims Act, the SEC whistleblower program, and the IRS whistleblower statute—making his case the first known to use all three simultaneously.

His disclosures landed six conspirators in prison (including the mastermind, who received a 20-year sentence) and resulted in a $69.6 million judgment for the United States, marking Indiana’s largest environmental and securities fraud case in history.

Our team has the knowledge and experience to take on any case, no matter the size. Contact us today for a free and confidential case evaluation. There is no fee unless we obtain a recovery for the government and you receive a relators share.

Dr. Aaron Westrick

Qui Tam Lawsuit Exposing Japanese and U.S. Companies for Safety Violations

Dr. Aaron Westrick was a Research Director at Second Chance Body Armor who discovered that Zylon-based vests were degrading dangerously and could no longer stop bullets as certified.

When his warnings to recall the vests were ignored, Dr. Westrick filed a qui tam lawsuit that sparked a 14-year legal battle against Second Chance and Japanese fiber manufacturer Toyobo.

His persistence paid off: the government recovered over $132 million from 18 corporations and individuals, the defective vests were pulled from the market, and $22 million was redirected to purchase safe replacement armor for law enforcement.

Most importantly, Dr. Westrick’s whistleblowing saved the lives of countless police officers and first responders who would have otherwise relied on faulty equipment.

What is the False Claims Act and Qui Tam Provision?

The False Claims Act is a federal law that was enacted during the Civil War in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln. This law is also referred to as the “Lincoln Law” because of this. The purpose of the FCA is to combat U.S. contractor fraud and prohibits the following:

• Reverse false claims (knowingly avoiding an obligation to pay the government)
• Knowingly submitting false claims for payment to the government
• Making false statements to get claims paid
• Conspiring to defraud the government

The Qui Tam Provision

“Qui tam” comes from the Latin phrase qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur (“he who sues in this matter for the king as well as for himself”). This provision allows private citizens—called “relators” or whistleblowers—to file lawsuits on behalf of the government against entities committing fraud.

Here’s how it works:

• Filing under seal: The whistleblower files a complaint in federal court under seal, meaning it’s kept confidential while the Department of Justice investigates.
• Government investigation: The DOJ typically has 60 days (often extended) to investigate and decide whether to intervene and take over the case.
• Intervention decision: If the government intervenes, it assumes primary responsibility for prosecuting the case. If it declines, the relator can proceed independently.
• Financial rewards: Successful relators receive 15–25% of the recovery if the government intervenes, or 25–30% if they proceed alone. Given that FCA recoveries often reach tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, these awards can be substantial.
• Anti-retaliation protections: The FCA includes provisions protecting whistleblowers from employer retaliation, including reinstatement, back pay, and compensation for damages.

The FCA has been enormously successful, recovering over $75 billion since 1986, with most cases originating from qui tam whistleblowers. It’s particularly prominent in healthcare fraud, defense contracting, and government procurement cases.

Qui Tam Whistleblower Eligibility

Individuals with information who wish to file a qui tam lawsuit must be the original source of the information. This means that the information cannot be derived from public information – the information must be from first-hand observation, knowledge, or evidence.

Secondly, the individual must be the first to file – only the first whistleblower to file a particular fraud scheme can proceed. In other words, no other individual can proceed if someone else has filed a qui tam complaint.

Who Qualifies?

• Current or former employees who witnessed fraud
• Competitors who became aware of a rival’s fraudulent practices
• Contractors or subcontractors with knowledge of overbilling or defective products
• Healthcare professionals who observed Medicare/Medicaid fraud
• Accountants, auditors, or compliance officers who discovered irregularities

Who Does NOT Qualify?

• Government employees are limited in their ability to file (they can only file based on information obtained outside their official duties)
• Individuals convicted of criminal conduct arising from the same fraud
• Those who planned and initiated the fraud scheme (though participants who weren’t the mastermind may still qualify)

Filing Requirements

• The complaint must be filed in federal district court under seal (confidentially)
• A copy of the complaint and a written disclosure of all material evidence must be served on the Attorney General and the relevant U.S. Attorney
• The complaint remains sealed for at least 60 days while the government investigates, though extensions are routine and investigations often take years

Seal Requirements

The relator and their attorney are prohibited from disclosing the existence of the lawsuit while it’s under seal. Violating the seal can result in dismissal of the case. This protects the government’s ability to investigate without tipping off the defendant.

Statute of Limitations
A qui tam action must be brought within the later of:

• Six years after the violation occurred, or
• Three years after the government knew or should have known about the violation (but no more than ten years after the violation)

Burden of Proof
The relator (or government) must prove the fraud by a preponderance of the evidence—more likely than not. There’s no requirement to prove specific intent to defraud; “knowing” conduct includes acting with deliberate ignorance or reckless disregard for the truth.

Damages and Penalties
Violators are liable for:

• Treble damages (three times the government’s actual loss)
• Civil penalties per false claim (currently around $13,000–$27,000 per claim, adjusted annually for inflation)

Relator’s Share

• 15–25% if the government intervenes
• 25–30% if the government declines and the relator proceeds alone
• The court can reduce the share if the relator participated in the fraud

Anti-Retaliation Protections
Employees who are discharged, demoted, harassed, or discriminated against for lawful qui tam activity are entitled to:

• Reinstatement with seniority
• Double back pay plus interest
• Compensation for special damages including litigation costs and attorney’s fees

Government’s Role
Even after declining to intervene, the government retains the right to:

• Dismiss the case if it interferes with government interests
• Settle the case over the relator’s objections (though the relator gets a hearing)
• Request copies of pleadings and deposition transcripts

Jurisdictional Rules
The fraud must involve federal government funds. Many states have parallel false claims acts for fraud involving state funds, some of which also include qui tam provisions.

Contact IWA Qui Tam Attorneys Today

An attorney is required to file a qui tam lawsuit under the False Claims Act. Contact our advocates today for a free case evaluation. A partner reviews every consultation request. If we take your case, one of our founding partners will manage it.