I like it. Anything that gets the companies to do the right thing is a good thing. So if the Corporate Whistle Blower Center can help contractors that have identified waste, fraud, and abuse in their companies, then I dig that. Especially if they can help those contractors get the reward that comes with reporting such abuse.
What I believe this organization is referring to when talking about a reward is the provisions within the False Claims Act. I mentioned this law as a primary driver on why AGNA settled in the case with James Gordon. Here is a quick summary of the Lincoln Law.
The False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. §§ 3729–3733, also called the “Lincoln Law”) is an American federal law that imposes liability on persons and companies (typically federal contractors) who defraud governmental programs. The law includes a “qui tam” provision that allows people who are not affiliated with the government to file actions on behalf of the government (informally called “whistleblowing”). Persons filing under the Act stand to receive a portion (usually about 15–25 percent) of any recovered damages. Claims under the law have typically involved health care, military, or other government spending programs. The government has recovered nearly $22 billion under the False Claims Act between 1987 (after the significant 1986 amendments) and 2008.
The other reason why there is more interest in these kinds of cases is that companies will be hurt in any bidding process for government contracts, if they are charged with False Claims or in litigation. It is the primary reason why AGNA settled, so that it would not stop them from pursuing contracts. Here is a link to the FAR 52.207-1 that details what I am talking about. I also put that section up below this article.
Now just for clarification, I am not affiliated with this group, nor can I vouch for their effectiveness. They are just another option for contractors to use, and of course do your own research and put together a good strategy before getting into this stuff. –Matt
Corporate Whistle Blower Center Urges U.S. Contractor Employees in Afghanistan and Iraq to Step Forward for Huge Rewards if They Can Prove Massive Fraud
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
The Corporate Whistle Blower Center is urging employees of major U.S. federal contractors, or subcontractors, that have been defrauding the US taxpayer in Afghanistan, or Iraq to step forward, for what could be enormous rewards, provided they can prove it. An independent panel investigating wartime spending estimates that as much as $60 billion has been lost to waste and fraud over the past decade in Iraq and Afghanistan. In its final report to Congress, the Commission on Wartime Contracting said the figure could grow larger as U.S. support for reconstruction projects and programs wanes and Iraq and Afghanistan are unable to sustain the schools, medical clinics, roads and power plants already built with American tax dollars. The Corporate Whistle Blower Center says, “In actuality we are pretty sure in many cases the schools, power plants, or medical clinics were never completed, and in other instances we know federal subcontractors gouged the U.S. government, and the taxpayers on everything from over inflated fuel, or food prices, to pretty much you name it. As long as you can prove it, and the amount exceeds two million dollars, there can be huge rewards for this type of information, as long as its substantial proof, and credible. If you possess this type of information please call us at 866-714-6466, because we would welcome the chance to explain the federal whistleblower reward programs to you.”
September 06, 2011
The Corporate Whistle Blower Center is strongly encouraging employees of federal contractors, or their subcontractors, that were providing any type of service in Afghanistan, or Iraq to step forward, if they possess significant proof of overbilling, or defrauding the U.S. federal government, because the rewards can be enormous. The group says, “If a government type panel says the fraud is sixty billion dollars in Iraq, or Afghanistan, its probably more like a hundred billions dollars plus, and provided you have substantial proof, and the proof is easy to understand, and black, and white, the rewards can be huge.” The Corporate Whistle Blower Center says, “When it comes U.S. contractors, or subcontractors defrauding the U.S. taxpayer we think in some instances it could be in the tens, or hundreds of millions of dollars, and it runs the gamete from construction, or infrastructure projects, that were not properly done, or not done at all, to food, fuel, engineering services, to you name it. And, we are pretty sure there are hundreds, or thousands of individuals, who possess the proof it happened. To us this type of solid proof is like having a winning lotto ticket, and we’d like to explain how the U.S. Federal Whistleblower programs work.” For more information please contact the Corporate Whistle Blower Center anytime at 866-714-6466, or contact the group via its web site at http://CorporateWhistleBlowerCenter.Com
Simple rules for a whistleblower from the Corporate Whistle Blower Center:
• Do not go to the government first, if you are a major whistleblower. The Corporate Whistle Blower Center says, “Major whistleblowers frequently go to the federal government thinking they will help. Its a huge mistake. Frequently government officials could care less, or they are incompetent.”
• Do not go to the news media with your whistleblower information. Public revelation of a whistleblower’s information could destroy any prospect for a reward.
• Do not try to force a government contractor, or corporation to come clean to the government about their wrong doing. The Corporate Whistle Blower Center says, “Fraud is so rampant among federal contractors, that any suggestion of exposure might result in an instant job termination, or harassment of the whistleblower. We say, come to us first, tell us what type of information you have, and if we think its sufficient, we will help find the right law firms, to assist in advancing your information.”
Any type of insider, or employee, who possesses significant proof of their employer, or a government contractor fleecing the federal government is encouraged to contact to Corporate Whistle Blower Center anytime at 866-714-6466, or they can contact the group via their web site here.—————————————————————
52.209-5 Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters.
As prescribed in 9.104-7(a), insert the following provision:
Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters (Apr 2010)
(a)(1) The Offeror certifies, to the best of its knowledge and belief, that—