Grant Fraud Lawyers
Whistleblowers help the government recoup funds lost to grant fraud.
The federal government awards tens of billions of dollars each year in research and development (R&D) grants. Recipients include universities, nonprofit research institutions, and local government agencies. While most of these entities are honest and provide the American people with crucial information and technology, others obtain grant money based on false data and false statements about research conditions.
A whistleblower, typically a researcher or other employee of the research institution, can help the government recover money from an ill-gotten grant, which ultimately benefits American taxpayers and citizens. The federal False Claims Act provides for potentially significant financial rewards to whistleblowers who follow the right steps in reporting fraud and help in successful litigation.
What is grant fraud?
While the term “fraud” technically applies to a relatively narrow range of illegal activities, we use the term “grant fraud” here to refer to any grant-related activity that violates the federal False Claims Act (FCA) and/or comparable state laws. These laws are violated when the government awards grant money based on false information that a researcher or research institution provides in connection with the grant. This false information may be included on the initial application for the grant, in the publication of research conducted with the grant, or in reports that the grant recipient is required to make as a condition of the grant.
What are examples of grant fraud?
Examples of grant fraud and alleged grant fraud include:
- Misrepresenting the conditions under which grant-funded research is conducted. The Government alleged that an Ivy League university submitted false claims for reimbursement under more than 400 various research grants by misrepresenting the location where the research was conducted. The university paid $9.5 million to resolve the related FCA lawsuit.3
- Fabricating results in scientific studies. A private university in North Carolina agreed in 2019 to pay the federal government $112.5 million to resolve allegations that the university fabricated data in connection with at least thirty grants for health research between 2006 and 2018.3
- Receiving federal research grants while recklessly or intentionally failing to disclose funding by a foreign government. A Michigan biomedical research institute recently paid $5.5 million to settle allegations that two of its researchers were funded by the Chinese government.3
- Misappropriating grant money. A biomedical research institute based in San Diego agreed to pay $10 million to settle FCA allegations that it charged grant funds for the time that its researchers spent teaching and conducting administrative activities rather than conducting research for a wide range of federal grants.3
What government agencies lose the most money to grant fraud?
The federal government does not publish estimates of grant fraud losses by agency. However, the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHS) are frequent targets. This is partly because their budgets are among the largest for federal agencies and because they rely heavily on the private sector for research.
DoD spends hundreds of billions of dollars on defense contracting each year and distributes tens of billions of dollars annually in research grants. Defense contractors and research institutions alike are frequently named in FCA lawsuits, and frequently settle litigation or face judgments for millions of dollars.1
DHHS may lose several billion dollars each year to Medicare and Medicaid fraud. DHHS also distributes tens of billions of dollars in research grants each year through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) alone. FCA lawsuits frequently target researchers who misrepresent information related to their research.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is another federal agency that relies on private sector research and sometimes loses money to grant fraud.
What happens if a research institution lies on a grant application?
Like any person or entity that receives federal funds, a research institution may be subject to FCA liability for a false statement made in connection with a grant. FCA liability can be stiff: In a successful FCA lawsuit, the government’s total recovery typically includes three times the amount of the overcharging or fraud, plus civil penalties for each false claim for payment. Verdicts and settlements involving research institutions can stretch into the seven- and even eight-figure range.1
In successful cases initiated by a “qui tam” whistleblower, the whistleblower is entitled to up to 30% of the government’s recovery, subject to court approval, depending on the extent of the whistleblower’s involvement in the case.
Talk to a whistleblower attorney if you suspect research grant fraud
With hundreds of billions in grant money at stake, it can be very difficult to monitor improprieties among recipients who play fast and loose with government funds. That is why the government relies on courageous whistleblowers to try to help stem the rising tide of fraud.
While the federal government recovered $24.8 billion between 2011 and 2020 through FCA lawsuits – including $21.9 billion in lawsuits initiated by whistleblowers – the vast majority of grant fraud is believed to go undetected.1 The federal government is estimated to have made $144 billion in “improper payments” in fiscal 2016 alone. That amount includes payments based on false claims as well as those made on mistakes and for other reasons.
If you suspect fraud against the federal or state government, let’s talk. We are here to help put you at ease as we try to help you determine — confidentially and discreetly — if you should move forward with a whistleblower/qui tam claim. We appreciate the struggle you may be facing. That is why we have a You-First policy in place. We will try to help protect you regardless of your involvement.
Contact us or call 1-888-292-8852.
If we decide to take your case and you don’t get a reward for reporting fraud, you owe us no fee.2
“Bill has the ability to ‘think outside the box’…which makes him extremely effective as an advocate for his clients.” 1 — Attorney who previously worked with Bill
Awards we’ve won
For standards of inclusion for awards listed, visit bestlawyers.com, thenationaltriallawyers.org, superlawyers.com, farrin.com/business-nc-power-list, and millondollaradvocates.com. National Trial Lawyers Top 100 designation is for 2022. Regarding the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, we do not represent that similar results will be achieved in your case. Each case is different and must be evaluated separately. Firm award is for the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin. Attorney awards are for attorneys with the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin.
Contact the Carolina
Whistleblower Attorneys
If you’re wondering if it’s a good idea to speak with a whistleblower lawyer about what you know, let us set the record straight.
- Corporate ethics hotlines can be risky and may lead to termination. If you’ve already done this, call us immediately.
- Your coworkers could be aware of the fraud – or complicit in it – and you should not talk to them about it.
- The first claim to be filed under the False Claims Act can proceed – if you’re not first, you’re at a serious disadvantage and may get nothing (another reason not to speak to your coworkers about it).
- A confidential discussion costs you a few minutes, but could save you time, stress, and money.
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