Whistleblower Attorneys Attend Federal Bar Association Qui Tam 2024 Annual Conference

The Whistleblower Advocates' attorneys Edward Kang, Kandis Kovalsky, Micah Buchdahl, Ross Wolfe, and Sofia Calabrese attended the Federal Bar Association Qui Tam Section’s 2024 Annual Conference at the Hilton Washington, D.C. Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on February 21-23, 2024. Melissa Bozeman of the newly formed firm Griffin Partners LLP also attended.

Consistent with its dedication to the qui tam field of law, Kang Haggerty, also known as The Whistleblower Advocates was the sole premier sponsor of the conference. This year’s conference explored the fundamental role that the government plays in all False Claims Act (FCA) qui tam cases, from the initial relator interview, through the government’s investigation and intervention decision, to litigation, trial, and appeals (in both intervened and declined cases), as well as the final resolution of cases regardless of the stage of the matter. It is estimated that approximately 300 attorneys atended the conference.

The Qui Tam Section of the Federal Bar Association focuses on providing education, training, and networking opportunities for practitioners involved in the FCA and other whistleblower statutes. The Qui Tam section is named for the “qui tam” provision in the FCA because that section is the spark for most FCA litigation and investigations.

The FBA Qui Tam Section was started in 2015 and has over 400 members from every perspective in the FCA practice area: relator bar, defense bar, government, judiciary, and investigative counsel.

The False Claims Act is a powerful tool in combating fraud against the government. Originally enacted in 1863 during the Civil War, the FCA has been significantly strengthened over the years, particularly through amendments in 1986. The qui tam provisions of the FCA allow private citizens, known as relators, to file lawsuits on behalf of the government against those who have committed fraud.These qui tam lawsuits have proven to be highly effective in uncovering and prosecuting fraud. Since 1986, False Claims Act recoveries have totaled more than $75 billion, with approximately $7.8 billion paid in whistleblower awards. This success is largely due to the incentives provided to whistleblowers, who can receive between 15 and 30 percent of the total recovery the government obtains from the defendant.

The Whistleblower Advocates, based in Philadelphia, PA, are experienced in representing whistleblowers in qui tam cases under the False Claims Act. Their team of experienced attorneys is dedicated to helping individuals expose fraud against the government while protecting their rights and interests. Recent matters include reviewing PPP loan fraud and matters involving medicare and healthcare fraud being committed against the government.

The Whistleblower Advocates assist whistleblowers with a wide range of fraud cases, demonstrating their expertise across multiple sectors. In the healthcare industry, they handle cases involving Medicare and Medicaid fraud, such as billing for services not rendered, upcoding, and kickback schemes. They also tackle fraud involving private insurance companies, including falsified claims and unnecessary medical procedures. Government contract fraud is another area of focus, with the firm addressing cases involving defense contractors who inflate costs or deliver subpar equipment, as well as construction projects that use inferior materials or falsify progress reports. Their expertise extends to other forms of government procurement fraud, such as price fixing or bid rigging. In the financial sector, The Whistleblower Advocates deal with various types of fraud, including banking fraud like money laundering or fraudulent loan applications, securities fraud such as insider trading or Ponzi schemes, and tax fraud involving false returns or offshore tax evasion. Environmental fraud cases are also within their purview, addressing violations of environmental regulations, such as falsifying emissions data or improperly disposing of hazardous waste, as well as false reporting of compliance with environmental standards. Additionally, the firm handles education fraud cases, particularly those related to federal student loans and grants. This can include for-profit colleges misrepresenting job placement rates, schools falsifying student enrollment data to secure more funding, or fraudulent practices in student loan servicing. By covering this broad spectrum of fraud cases, The Whistleblower Advocates demonstrate their commitment to combating fraud across multiple industries and protecting government funds from misuse.

The Whistleblower Advocates offer free legal consultations to potential whistleblowers seeking a whistleblower lawyer in Philadelphia, helping them understand their options and the potential risks and rewards of filing a qui tam lawsuit. Their expertise in this complex area of law is crucial, as qui tam cases often involve intricate legal and procedural requirements.