United States Attorney Co-Hosts Anti-Fraud Coalition Roundtable

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Last week, United States Attorney Gary M. Restaino co-hosted a stakeholder discussion on qui tam, or whistleblower, cases under the civil False Claims Act (FCA). The event was also hosted by The Anti-Fraud Coalition (TAFC), a public interest, non-profit organization dedicated to defending and empowering whistleblowers who expose fraud on the government and the financial markets. The roundtable was part of U.S. Attorney Restaino’s effort and commitment to working with whistleblowers, and attorneys who represent them, to pursue civil enforcement actions against those who obtain government funds through false or fraudulent claims.

Speakers included U.S. Attorney Restaino and members of the United States Attorney’s Office Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit. Attendees included several attorneys who specialize in representing whistleblowers. The panel discussion focused on how federal prosecutors can continue to work effectively with whistleblowers and their attorneys in a successful public-private partnership as contemplated by the FCA’s qui tam provisions. A representative from TAFC moderated the discussion.

“Those who abuse government programs and contracts deprive their neighbors and communities and competitors of valuable resources,” said United States Attorney Gary Restaino. “In our affirmative civil enforcement work we protect the public fisc. We also celebrate the courage of whistleblowers, the energy, compassion and collegiality of the private plaintiffs’ bar, and the hard work and dedication of federal lawyers, auditors and investigators.”

Under the False Claims Act, individuals (known as “relators”) may file civil actions under seal on behalf of the government against companies and individuals who defraud the federal government. If the defendants pay settlements or the government is awarded judgment in these lawsuits, the relators receive a portion of those funds. Many fraud investigations and lawsuits, especially in the District of Arizona, originate with qui tam filings against health care providers, defense contractors, grant recipients, and others who commit fraud against the government.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona has long enjoyed an excellent working relationship with qui tam relators and their counsel. As a testament to that relationship, an analysis in 2018 showed the District of Arizona had the fastest-growing qui tam docket in the nation, with filings increasing 170% from fiscal years 2008-2012 to 2013-2017. Whistleblower filings in the District of Arizona further increased in fiscal years 2018-2023. Those filings and other affirmative civil matters handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office have resulted in significant recoveries of government funds that were intended for health care, defense contracting, relief from the COVID-19 pandemic, and other federal programs and purposes but were received by those who submitted, or were alleged to have submitted, false or fraudulent claims.

Individuals with information regarding fraud, waste, or abuse related to federal programs should contact the relevant federal agency. A list of agencies and contact information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/usao-az/agency-links.
 

RELEASE NUMBER:    2024-045_TAFC Roundtable

# # #

For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.