Whistleblower and False Claims Act

At Singleton Schreiber, we are dedicated advocates for justice, representing individuals and organizations that bravely come forward to report fraud and expose unlawful conduct. Our attorneys are distinguished leaders in the legal profession, bringing decades of experience and a consistent record of success in litigating whistleblower actions, including matters before the highest levels of the US Department of Justice. As a nationally respected law firm, we combine a client-centered approach with the strategic insight of former prosecutors, offering the depth of knowledge and resources necessary to confront even the most formidable opponents. We are committed to achieving exceptional results in this highly complex area of law while supporting our courageous clients.

Our nationally acclaimed attorneys collaborate closely with clients to identify and challenge fraudulent activity. We possess extensive experience in cases involving healthcare fraud, government contract fraud, financial fraud, misuse of government programs, and other violations at both the state and federal levels.

If you have witnessed fraud and are considering taking action, we encourage you to contact our firm in confidence. Our experienced legal team is prepared to guide you through the process and advocate for the justice you deserve. Call us today at (509) 471-5112 to schedule a free consultation.

Why Choose Us to Represent You in Your Whistleblower Claim

Selecting the right legal team is critical when stepping forward with a whistleblower claim. At Singleton Schreiber, our Whistleblower and False Claims Act Practice Group includes attorneys Dan Fruchter, Vanessa Waldref, Paul Starita, Alexander Flores, and Elizabeth Aniskevich. We have in-depth experience in fraud litigation and public integrity enforcement and each member brings a unique background in prosecuting complex fraud, litigating high-stakes cases, and navigating sensitive matters before the Department of Justice and other agencies.

We have worked closely with whistleblowers for decades and know how scary and isolating whistleblowing can be.  We can help you evaluate your options and protect your rights. 

When you choose Singleton Schreiber to represent you, you get:

Decades of High-Level Government Experience

Our team includes former senior prosecutors like Dan Fruchter and Vanessa Waldref, who have led major fraud investigations and False Claims Act cases at the highest levels of the United States Department of Justice. Under Ms. Waldref’s leadership as U.S. Attorney, the Eastern District of Washington continued to play a key role in the Department of Justice’s fraud-fighting efforts, where she and her Fraud and White-Collar team prosecuted civil and criminal fraud matters, launched a nationally recognized COVID Fraud Strike Force, and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for taxpayers under the False Claims Act. Mr. Fruchter and Ms. Waldref have over three decades of experience working with whistleblowers and fighting fraud and are proud to bring this experience to Singleton Schreiber’s Whistleblower and False Claims Act practice group.

Proven Track Record of Results

During a 16-year career with the Department of Justice, Mr. Fruchter successfully investigated, prosecuted, and resolved hundreds of fraud cases involving the False Claims Act and other whistleblower statutes, recovering billions of dollars for the public and protecting critical public programs, while making the Eastern District of Washington into a district of choice nationwide for filing whistleblower claims.  Mr. Fruchter has handled local and nationwide fraud cases in nearly every state and district around the United States involving a wide variety of government programs, including government contracts, Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care programs, grants, disaster relief, and housing and food assistance, during every phase from case intake and investigation all the way through litigation, trial, and appeal.  As just one example, Mr. Fruchter has investigated and prosecuted dozens of cases involving the critical environmental cleanup project at the Department of Energy’s Hanford Nuclear Site, returning more than $225 million to the public in Hanford-related cases while holding fraudsters accountable for the vital cleanup work needed to protect public health and the environment.  

National Recognition for Integrity and Excellence

Our attorneys have been honored with prestigious awards from the government and whistleblower advocates, including the Director’s Award from the Executive Office for US Attorneys and the “Honest Abe” Integrity in Government Award from the Anti-Fraud Coalition, as well as numerous awards and honors from the law enforcement agencies that investigate whistleblower claims. 

Credibility That Strengthens Your Case

With reputations respected by government agencies and the private bar alike, our attorneys bring immediate credibility and strategic insight to every claim we pursue. Our history of success and reputation for excellence, and our deep knowledge of whistleblower claims and the process by which they are investigated, will help make sure that the government and corporate counsel treat your concerns with the seriousness and attention that they deserve.  We will leverage our experience, knowledge, and dedication to work tirelessly to ensure that whistleblower concerns are appropriately addressed and that wrongdoers are held accountable. 

What is The False Claims Act?

The False Claims Act (FCA) is a powerful federal statute that enables private citizens to take legal action against individuals or entities that defraud government programs. Central to this law is the qui tam provision,

which allows whistleblowers, sometimes called “relators”, to file lawsuits on the United States’ behalf. If the case results in a financial recovery, the whistleblower may be entitled to a significant portion of the recovered funds as a reward for their efforts in exposing the fraud. In addition to the federal False Claims Act, many states have their own analogous False Claims Act that specifically addresses state programs and funding.

Whistleblowers play an instrumental role in protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring integrity within government contracts, healthcare systems, and other federally funded programs. The FCA not only provides a legal pathway to report misconduct but also includes strong protections against retaliation. Individuals who come forward are shielded from actions such as termination, demotion, harassment, or other forms of workplace discrimination.

When retaliation does occur, the law entitles whistleblowers to full remedies, including reinstatement, back pay, and compensation for any harm suffered. By enforcing accountability, directly empowering whistleblowers, and offering meaningful protections, the False Claims Act serves as both a legal tool and a safeguard for those who choose to speak out against fraud.

While the False Claims Act is a broad and powerful tool in the public’s fight against fraud, it is only one of many whistleblower programs designed to combat fraud.  A number of other federal agencies also have their own whistleblower programs, many of which address financial fraud and do not require federal spending.

Areas of Focus: Whistleblower Cases We Pursue

Fraud can take many forms, spanning a wide range of industries and programs. Our firm represents whistleblowers in complex cases involving fraudulent conduct that undermines public trust, wastes taxpayer dollars, and endangers vulnerable populations. Below are some of the major areas in which we help clients expose wrongdoing.

Healthcare Fraud

Healthcare fraud is one of the most common and costly forms of government fraud, and it can include nearly every sector of the healthcare industry. Fraudulent schemes may be carried out by pharmaceutical companies, device and equipment manufacturers, hospitals, physicians, laboratories, or insurance providers, and often target government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. These schemes can include billing for services not rendered or which were not medically appropriate, overcharging, or paying or receiving unlawful financial incentives that compromise the integrity of patient care.

Procurement Fraud

Procurement fraud occurs when individuals or companies knowingly violate material terms of government contracts or subcontracts, or manipulate the government contracting or purchasing process for personal gain. It undermines the quality of critical products and services provided for the benefit of the public, as well as the integrity and fairness of the public contracting process.  Common forms of procurement fraud include overbilling, product substitution, failure to meet quality or other material contractual standards, bid rigging, kickbacks, and providing false and fraudulent information during the contracting process. 

Financial Fraud

Financial fraud is a widespread and damaging form of misconduct that impacts the securities, commodities, banking, and financial services sectors. These schemes may involve investment firms, banks, brokers, lenders, traders, or executives who manipulate financial data, misrepresent information, or misuse funds, often to the detriment of investors, institutions, and government-backed programs. Common violations include:

• Insider trading
• Pump-and-dump schemes
• High-yield investment fraud
• Accounting fraud
• Loan fraud
• Wire transfer fraud
• And more

Government Program Misrepresentation

Government program misrepresentation involves providing false, misleading, or incomplete information to obtain or retain benefits from publicly funded programs. These schemes can arise in a variety of areas, including housing assistance, disaster relief, education grants, small business support, and agricultural subsidies, and often involve individuals or companies overstating eligibility, concealing disqualifying facts, or misrepresenting how funds will be used. Common examples include falsifying loan applications, misreporting income or business size to qualify for aid, or submitting false certifications of compliance with program rules.

Emerging Areas

In addition to the above areas, in recent years, DOJ has announced intent to increase its focus on two additional areas that our team expects to play an important role going forward: cybersecurity violations and evasion of customs duties. 

Customs Fraud involves the use of false or misleading information to avoid paying the appropriate duty or tariff associated with importing specific types of goods into the United States.  This is an emerging area because duties and tariffs are increasingly important policy tools used by the government and because of the increased awareness and visibility of compliance issues associated with the importation of goods. 

Cybersecurity matters include the failure of companies to comply with material cybersecurity requirements to protect private and sensitive data and critical systems that contain personal, financial, and medical information.  These cases can also involve the failure of companies to take appropriate actions to report and address known vulnerabilities or data breaches in such systems.  Due to the importance of data security and the increased prevalence of data breaches and malign intrusion into these systems, DOJ has placed increased emphasis on this area in recent years.

Let Us Help You

At Singleton Schreiber, we are committed to upholding justice by representing whistleblowers who demonstrate integrity and courage in reporting fraud and exposing unlawful practices. If you’ve witnessed wrongdoing and are considering coming forward, you are not alone.  Our experienced legal team is here to guide and protect you every step of the way. Contact us today for a confidential consultation and take the first step toward making a difference.