Public Use Fraud
Federal, state, and local governments spend billions to finance a wide variety of construction projects for public use. The public works include building schools and hospitals; transportation infrastructure such as highways, railroads, bridges, pipelines, canals, ports, and airports; parks, public squares, and beaches; and public services such as water supply, sewage and electrical grids.
Types Of Public Use Fraud
Unfortunately, contractors often cheat the government while carrying out public works projects. For example, in a case handled by a Behn & Wyetzner attorney, a road paving contractor paid over $1 million to settle allegations it had overcharged federal and state transportation departments by billing for materials it never used, and using substandard asphalt. The contractor paid an additional amount to settle retaliation claims by the whistleblower. A principal of the company also pled guilty to criminal charges.
Other types of public works fraud may include billing for work not performed, bid-rigging, falsifying material costs, falsifying test results or progress reports, falsifying minority or disadvantaged contractor status, using unqualified personnel, failing to follow project specifications, violating by American requirements, and distributing or accepting bribes and kickbacks.
If you have knowledge of fraud in a public works program and would like to discuss your options for filing a qui tam action proceeding under the False Claims Act, contact the attorneys at Behn & Wyetzner. Our experienced lawyers can help you pursue any claim you might have. All consultations are confidential and without cost to you.