What are the civil penalties under the False Claims Act?
Violators of the False Claims Act are liable for three times the dollar amount that the government is defrauded. A Qui tam plaintiff (relator or whistleblower) can receive between 15 and 30 percent of the total recovery from the defendant, whether through a favorable judgment or settlement. To be eligible to recover money under the Act, you must first file a Qui tam lawsuit. Merely informing the government about the violation is not enough. You only receive an award if, and after, the government recovers money from the defendant as a result of your suit.