Beware of COVID-19 Fraud Schemes and Scams
U.S. Attorneys’ offices around the nation have issued fraud alerts relating to the coronavirus health crisis.
Michael Behn Recognized For His Work Fighting Fraud By Dartmouth Alumni Magazine
Michael Behn — recently crowned “King of Qui Tam” — was highlighted f
or his work representing whistleblowers under the False Claims Act by his alma mater, Dartmouth College. Read Moreabout Michael Behn Recognized For His Work Fighting Fraud By Dartmouth Alumni Magazine
Behn & Wyetzner Co-Founder Crowned “The King of Qui Tam”
Chicago lawyer and co-founder of Behn & Wyetzner, Chtd., Michael Behn was recently titled the “King of Qui Tam” in a profile published by Northeastern University Law School. Mr. Behn was recognized for his long career successfully representing whistleblowers who report fraud to the government under the False Claims Act and SEC whistleblower program.
The “King of Qui Tam” article is available here. Read Moreabout Behn & Wyetzner Co-Founder Crowned “The King of Qui Tam”
Chicago Whistleblower Team Defeats Wall Street Banks’ Motion to Dismiss Municipal Bond Fraud Suit
The Illinois whistleblower lawsuit against multiple Wall Street banks, including JPMorgan Chase, Citibank, and Bank of America, cleared a major hurdle after an Illinois court rejected the defendants’ motion to dismiss the case. The suit was filed by Edelweiss LLC under the Illinois False Claims Act, by Chicago attorney Michael Behn of Behn & Wyetzner, Chartered. (State of Illinois ex rel. Edelweiss LLC (Case No. 2017 L 000289).
Judge Diane Shelley of the Illinois state court in Chicago stated that Edelweiss’ whistleblower “complaint articulates in myriad detail how false claims could have been presented to the State of Illinois.”
Michael Behn and Jim Holzrichter Featured on CBS News 48 Hours Program
On July 27, 2018 the CBS News program 48 Hours featured the gripping story behind the Northrop-Grumman case that lasted more than 16 years and settled for $134 million. The show features Michael Behn, of Behn & Wyetzner, Chtd. and our client Jim Holzrichter.
The program is part of a series on whistleblowers and “documents the long journeys of courageous heroes and corporate victims,” said Behn, a former federal prosecutor who has been representing whistleblowers for decades. “It is hosted by Alex Ferrer, a former judge and police officer, and is produced by Emmy-award winning producer Peter Bull. Alex and Peter understand how to tell a whistleblower’s reporting of a fraud to its true victims, the taxpaying public.”
The 48 Hours show is available on the CBS website, here.
Michael Behn Hosts Panel of Government Agency Experts, Discussing Whistleblowers, the False Claims Act, and Tips to Prosecute Fraud
The support of federal agencies is key to the successful prosecution of fraud and False Claims Act cases. Chicago whistleblower attorney, Michael Behn, of Behn & Wyetzner, Chtd. would know. He is a former federal prosecutor and has achieved extensive recoveries under the False Claims Act, on behalf of the government and his whistleblower clients. Behn recently sat down with prominent agency lawyers and investigators to discuss whistleblowers, the False Claims Act, and how best to prosecute fraud against the government. Read Moreabout Michael Behn Hosts Panel of Government Agency Experts, Discussing Whistleblowers, the False Claims Act, and Tips to Prosecute Fraud
Attorney Michael Behn Teams Government Agents with Whistleblowers at Inspectors General Training Session
Behn & Wyetzner attorney Michael Behn teamed with government investigators and whistleblowers at a training session hosted by the Illinois Association of Inspectors General. Read Moreabout Attorney Michael Behn Teams Government Agents with Whistleblowers at Inspectors General Training Session
Justice Department Recovers Over $4.7 Billion In FCA Cases, FY 2016
According to the Justice Department’s Civil Division, the DOJ recovered more than $4.7 billion in settlements and judgments from civil cases involving fraud and false claims against the government in fiscal year 2016, making it the third highest annual recovery in FCA history. Since 2009, the Department has regularly recovered above $4 billion per fiscal year, and the total recovery during that period is more than $31.3 billion. Read Moreabout Justice Department Recovers Over $4.7 Billion In FCA Cases, FY 2016
Perspective on the Tax Gap and the Underutilized IRS Whistleblower Program
In an April 2016 study released by the IRS, the government reported that an average of $406 billion in taxes was not collected each year between 2008 and 2010. The IRS euphemistically calls this the “tax gap,” i.e., the difference between what taxpayers owe and what they actually pay.
What does the tax gap mean to the average taxpayer? Read Moreabout Perspective on the Tax Gap and the Underutilized IRS Whistleblower Program
Qui Tam Lawsuits Recover Billions for the Federal Government in FY 2015
Qui tam whistleblowers who filed cases under the False Claims Act returned nearly $3 billion into the federal treasury in Fiscal Year 2015, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
False Claims Act cases in the areas of health care, hospital services, mortgage and financial industries, and defense contracting account for the largest part of recoveries. Whistleblower awards during 2015 totaled $597 million.
Read Moreabout Qui Tam Lawsuits Recover Billions for the Federal Government in FY 2015