Monday, April 15, 2019 - With over $500 billion dollars being spent annually on the US military through thousands of procurement contracts with private companies from around the world, it is easy to see that there exists the potential for fraud to slip through the cracks. Given the sheer size of military spending, it is easy to conclude that not every government contract can be analyzed with a fine-tooth comb. Also, if one considers the chaotic nature of the military having to be ready to respond instantly to an unlimited number of contingencies on every continent on the planet, it is reasonable to conclude that sometimes not every T gets crossed nor every I dotted. It would take an army just to monitor each government contract that is transacted in a year. In response to these and other military contract fraud possibilities, the US government passed the False Claims Act. Army Earplug lawsuits represented by national attorneys can answer questions to your answers before filing a lawsuit claim.
According to Wikipedia, "The False Claims Act, also called the "Lincoln Law" is an American federal law that imposes liability on persons and companies who defraud governmental programs. It is the Federal Government's primary litigation tool in combating fraud against the Government." If a person working for a government contractor or a corporation with a government contract uncovers wrongdoing, they may hire a lawyer and file a claim on behalf of the US government whereby the "whistleblower" is entitled to receive a fee of up to 25% of the amount of money recovered through a fine and returned to the taxpayers.
In the past, however, government insiders would be reluctant to come forward with information that they were privy to that could expose corporate or government fraud for fear of reprisal by their superiors. In response to being intimidated by the threat of ruining their career, the False Claims Act Resource Center (FCARC ) was formed online to make it easier for those on the inside to anonymously come forward and blow the whistle on their boss or others. The FCARC website has helped facilitate the recovery of billions of dollars from defense contractors like 3M who recently paid $9 million fine for misrepresenting the effectiveness and covering up the defects in their 3M army earplug. Other recent defense contractor scandals include Northrop Grumman having to pay $11.4 Million, APTx Vehicle Systems paying $2 million to settle procurement fraud allegations, and Boeing having to pay $4.392 million for fraudulent billing the US Military for the Chinook Helicopter. Some of the methods used by defense contractors in the past, and certainly to be used again in the future to defraud the government include, according to the FCARC website are cross-charging, improper product substitution, improper cost allocation, worthless or substandard products or services, inflated costs for good and services, and violations in the truth in negotiations act.
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Filing a lawsuit will allow you to hold 3M accountable for damage it has caused you or a loved one, while also providing real compensation for your medical expenses, suffering and loss. Contact us today for a free consultation.