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Aeton frequently investigates and advances claims for corporate wrongdoing involving government funds such as fraud waste or abuse within the programs or operations of the state and federal government. The government, through the OIG, often investigates a variety of matters, including allegations of fraud involving grants and contracts; purchasing and sales to government agencies, health care billing, and medical equipment sales. Many times, these investigations originate with a whistleblower complaint. OIG also investigates retaliation against whistleblowers. Generally, the investigation is carried out to resolve these complaints. Aeton represents whistleblowers and advocates for the client for compensation throughout the process.
False Claims Act: The False Claims Act is a federal law that empowers individuals to act as whistleblowers and sue on behalf of the government in what is called a qui tam case. These claims are brought by individuals, known as “relators” or whistleblowers, to come forward with information regarding misdeeds against federal programs. Under the Act, relators may be recovered funds in cases where fraud against federal programs or contracts is suspected. You pay no attorney’s fees to prosecute the action and Aeton’s attorneys represent you throughout the proceeding. Many times the government will intervene in the matter to protect its interests and the government will take over the prosecution of the claim. As a relator, you are entitled to a percentage of the funds recovered.
Our Approach: At Aeton, our approach is client-focused. We understand the stakes involved in FCA litigation and work closely with our clients to build strong cases. Our attorneys combine thorough investigation, legal experience, and strategic litigation to advocate for our clients’ rights.
Confidential Consultation: If you suspect fraud against the government and are considering blowing the whistle, we invite you to reach out for a confidential consultation. Our team will listen to your story, evaluate your case, and provide you with a clear understanding of your rights and options under the False Claims Act.
Different statutes protect whistleblowers who engage in various activities. Whistleblowers often report illegal or unethical conduct on the part of a business, organization, or government agency or official. Whistleblowers have been instrumental in rooting out fraud, price-fixing, code or safety violations, abuse of authority, unfair practices, discrimination, false claims, accounting irregularities, and similar acts. If you have a desire to report or blow the whistle on that type of conduct and believe that you might be punished as a result, contact Aeton Law Partners today.
Under Connecticut law, whistleblowers have protections by statute the codifies your rights to free speech for matters of a public concern. The statute is Connecticut General Statutes § 31-51q is the primary statutory tort that provides protection to employees against discharge, discipline or other penalty based on reporting matters of a public concern which might include such things as fraud, abuse, illegality, or a violation or suspected violation of any state or federal law or regulation, or any municipal ordinance or regulation.
Aeton is particularly interested in claims arising in retaliation against an employee after the employee reports misconduct or opposes it in the workplace. For example, if you opposed discriminatory conduct in the workplace, and your employer retaliation against for you for it, you may be entitled to damages. You may be protected under the law for good faith opposition to unlawful conduct in the workplace. You may be able to recover damages if your employer has retaliated against you for reporting misconduct in the workplace. Forms of retaliation may include several types of adverse employment actions including denial of promotions, benefits or bonuses, firing, termination, being subjected to a hostile working environment, or “blacklisting.” If you are a whistleblower, contact Aeton Law Partners for a confidential consultation.
Aeton has handled a variety of whistleblower and retaliation cases to include the following as only a few examples:
Blacklisting:
Aeton represented skilled workers who were blacklisted with non competes to protect the wages and movement of workers in the aerospace industry. The employees were harmed by not being able to freely move jobs between competitors for better wages.
Qui Tam and False Claims:
Aeton represented a high level engineering employee who reported serious misconduct in the production of aircraft engine parts. The employee was fired after reporting the fraud and abuse.
Free Speech:
Aeton represented a physician who complained about unsafe practices in the treatment of cardiology patients.
Retaliation:
Aeton represented a group of employees who banded together to report wide-spread discrimination by management of a public agency. The group was retaliated against after reporting the misconduct.