What whistleblowing is protected conduct under the False Claims Act?

The False Claims Act protects:

1. “lawful acts . . . in furtherance of an action under [the FCA]”; and
2. “other efforts to stop 1 or more [FCA] violations.” 31 U.S.C. § 3730(h)(1).

Recent cases have interpreted this protected activity to include:

• internal reporting of fraudulent activity to a supervisor;
• claims where the subject of the plaintiff’s disclosures would not necessarily have supported a full qui tam action;
• steps taken in furtherance of a potential or actual qui tam action; and
• steps taken to remedy fraudulent activity or to stop an FCA violation.

If you are seeking representation in a whistleblower protection case, click here, or call us at 202-262-8959 to schedule a free preliminary consultation.

Guide to NDAA/Defense Contractor Whistleblower Law

For more information about whistleblower protections for employees of government contractors and grantees, including Department of Defense contractors, see our Practical Law Practice Note titled Whistleblower Protections Under the National Defense Authorization Act. This Practice Note surveys the legal protections for employees of federal contractors, subcontractors, and grantees that receive federal funds who report waste, fraud, or abuse involving federal funds, a violation of law, rule, or regulation related to a federal contract, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.

In addition, the outline explains the procedures that govern the filing, investigation and adjudication of National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) whistleblower retaliation claims.

Topics covered include:

• Protected whistleblowing under the NDAA.
• The scope of coverage of the NDAA’s whistleblower protection provisions.
• The reasonable belief standard governing NDAA protected whistleblowing.
• Proving “contributing factor” causation
• The same-decision affirmative defense
• Remedies or damages available to prevailing NDAA whistleblowers.