United States of America ex v. Keypoint Government Solutions

HOLMES, Circuit Judge.

The False Claims Act (or the "Act") allows for the recovery of civil penalties *736 and treble damages from anyone who defrauds the government by submitting fraudulent claims for payment. 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 - 3733. To enforce its provisions, the Act empowers individuals to file suits on behalf of the government alleging that a third party made a fraudulent claim for payment to the government. Id. § 3730(b)(1). These suits are known as " qui tam " suits, and the individual plaintiffs are called "relators." Recognizing the risks relators face as prospective whistleblowers, the…