As an experienced whistleblower lawyer with nearly two decades of experience, I am committed to protecting the rights of individuals who bravely come forward to report fraudulent conduct against the government.
Recently, I was involved in a large whistleblower action settlement involving GCI Communications Corp., an Anchorage-based company. GCI agreed to pay $40,242,546 to resolve allegations of violating the False Claims Act through inflated prices and contravention of Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) competitive bidding regulations, particularly in its involvement with the FCC’s Rural Health Care Program.
If you have information about telecommunications fraud, overcharging for broadband in the Rural Health Care Program including Alaska or any other fraud against the government, it will be important to contact an Alaska whistleblower lawyer to learn about a possible reward to which you may be entitled. I encourage you to call me to schedule a free consultation.
Whistleblower Rewards for Bringing a False Claims Act Case
Under the federal False Claims Act, whistleblowers may be entitled to substantial monetary awards for successfully reporting fraudulent activity. As an experienced whistleblower attorney, I am available to represent clients in Alaska, Washington, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. I guide clients throughout the process, ensuring that client rights are protected.
How Much Does a False Claims Act Lawyer Charge?
I represent clients in False Claims Act lawsuits on a contingency fee which is based upon a percentage of the amount awarded to the whistleblower. There is no fee for you while your case is ongoing, and my firm and/or the federal government will cover the costs of litigation.
My fee is typically 5%-10% less than those charged by other False Claims Act/whistleblower lawyers. This can result in substantially higher rewards to a whistleblower in a large case, often tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending upon the size of the reward.
Rural Health Care Fraud – What Is the Rural Health Care Program?
The Rural Health Care Program provides more than $570 million annually to assist rural health care providers with their telecommunications needs. Under this program, the FCC pays a subsidy equal to the difference between the more expensive cost for a telecommunication service in a rural area and the less expensive cost for the same service in an urban area in the same state. FCC regulations require contracts for these subsidized services be awarded through a competitive bidding process.
In our recent case, the United States alleged that, between 2013 and 2020, GCI failed to comply with FCC regulations that governed how telecommunications companies must calculate their prices for purposes of claiming subsidy payments, resulting in GCI receiving greater subsidy payments than it was entitled to.
Further, it was alleged that GCI caused Eastern Aleutian Tribes Inc., a rural healthcare provider in Alaska, to agree to inflated prices after the relevant contract was competitively bid. This unethical action led to GCI knowingly receiving higher payments under the program from 2015 through 2018, in connection with its contract with Eastern Aleutian Tribes, Inc., which defrauded the federal government.
What Is The False Claims Act?
The False Claims Act (FCA) is a federal law that allows individuals, also known as “whistleblowers” or “relators”, to report instances of fraud against the government (these cases are also referred to as “qui tam” actions). The FCA provides whistleblowers with protections and the potential to receive a financial reward if their information leads to a successful recovery of government funds. This act is crucial in holding companies and individuals accountable for fraudulent practices that ultimately harm taxpayers and the integrity of government programs.
Whistleblowers who report fraud under the FCA may be eligible for a portion of the recovered funds, typically ranging from 15% to 20% of the total recovery (in some cases, this percentage may be higher). In the GCI case, the whistleblower, GCI’s former Director of Business Administration, will receive $6.4 million as his share of the recovery.
How Can an Experienced Alaska Whistleblower Lawyer Help Expose Fraud Against The Government?
An experienced Alaska whistleblower attorney can provide crucial assistance in large qui tam matters. At Teller Law, we represent whistleblowers in False Claims Act cases, help protect their rights, and ensure they are shielded from retaliation for reporting fraudulent conduct.
What if I’m Fired for Reporting Fraud as a Whistleblower?
It is illegal for a company to fire a person for reporting fraud against the federal government. While illegal retaliation cannot be stopped, if termination occurs, the person terminated will have a separate cause of action based upon wrongful termination.
How I Represent Clients and Protect Their Rights
Bringing fraudulent conduct to light is crucial for the preservation of justice and the optimal use of taxpayer money. If you have information about fraudulent activities, do not hesitate to call my office to schedule a free consultation. Together, we can seek to ensure your rights are protected, fraudulent conduct is exposed, and justice is served.
I represent clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning that I only get paid if compensation is recovered. This arrangement allows whistleblowers to come forward without worrying about the financial burden of hiring an attorney.
Throughout my career, I have handled numerous types of False Claims Act / qui tam cases. I am available to represent clients in matters including:
- COVID relief and PPP fraud
- Rural Healthcare Program Fraud
- Telecommunications fraud against USAC
- Erate sales tactics fraud
- Government contractor fraud
- Medicare and Medicaid Fraud
- Medicare Advantage Fraud
- Off Label Marketing Fraud
- Prescription and Medical Device Fraud
- Mortgage Fraud
- Import and customs fraud
- Student loan fraud
- Ocean pollution violations
The recent GCI Communications Corp. whistleblower settlement highlights the importance of the False Claims Act in combating fraud against the government. As an experienced False Claims Act lawyer, I am dedicated to helping individuals come forward and hold wrongdoers accountable for their fraudulent actions. Together, we can seek to protect taxpayer dollars and the integrity of vital government programs.