False Claims Act

The State of California and federal law both have False Claims Acts (FCA) that allow private citizens to file suits on behalf of the government, called “qui tam” suits, against those that have defrauded the government. Each FCA exposes individuals and businesses who knowingly submit false claims to the government to double, or in some instances, triple damages, plus penalties. Private citizens who successfully bring a qui tam action may receive a portion of the government’s recovery.