False Claims Amendments Act of 1986

E50005

The False Claims Amendments Act of 1986 is a major U.S. federal law that strengthened the government’s ability to combat fraud against federal programs by expanding whistleblower (qui tam) provisions and increasing penalties for false claims.


Statements (47)
Predicate Object
instanceOf United States federal statute
amendment to the False Claims Act
aimsTo deter fraud against federal programs and contracts
improve detection of fraud through private enforcement
allows private individuals to sue on behalf of the United States in qui tam actions
the United States to intervene in qui tam suits filed by relators
amends False Claims Act of 1863
appliesToJurisdiction federal government of the United States
authorizes treble damages for false claims
citationType United States public law
country United States
effect led to a substantial increase in qui tam filings
resulted in significant recoveries of funds for the United States Treasury
enforcedBy United States Attorneys
United States Department of Justice
establishes a share of recoveries for whistleblowers
expands qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act
historicalSignificance revitalized the False Claims Act as a primary tool against fraud on the federal government
increases civil penalties for violations of the False Claims Act
languageOfWork English
legalDomain federal anti-fraud law
government contracts law
whistleblower law
legalForm civil statute
legislativeBody United States Congress
partOf False Claims Act
presidentAtEnactment Ronald Reagan
providesFor increased monetary awards to successful whistleblowers
protection against retaliation for whistleblowers
qui tam actions by private relators on behalf of the United States
purpose to encourage whistleblowers to report fraud
to increase penalties for submitting false claims to the United States
to strengthen the federal government’s ability to combat fraud against federal programs
relatedTo federal civil fraud enforcement
whistleblower protection laws in the United States
sectorImpact defense contracting industry
federal grant and loan programs
health care industry
signedBy Ronald Reagan
strengthens civil enforcement mechanisms against fraud on federal programs
subjectMatter civil penalties and treble damages for false claims
false or fraudulent claims for payment or approval submitted to the United States
whistleblower rewards and protections
targets fraud in federal benefit and grant programs
fraud in federal procurement and contracting
fraudulent claims submitted to federal agencies
yearEnacted 1986

Referenced by (1)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
99th United States Congress
enacted

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