Whistleblower Attorney in Flatbush, NY
Protect Your Rights, Earn Substantial Rewards
Hear from Our Customers
False Claims Attorney Flatbush
You’ve seen something that doesn’t add up. Fraudulent billing, false claims, or deliberate waste of taxpayer money. Now you’re wondering what to do next.
Here’s what happens when you work with an experienced whistleblower attorney: You get protected from retaliation while potentially earning 15-30% of whatever the government recovers. That’s not pocket change—whistleblower awards have reached as high as $250 million for a single case.
The process works because the government needs people like you to uncover fraud they can’t detect on their own. In 2023 alone, nearly 86% of False Claims Act recoveries came from whistleblower cases, totaling $2.3 billion in settlements and judgments.
Qui Tam Attorney Flatbush NY
The Howley Law Firm brings Fortune 500-level legal expertise to individual whistleblowers in Flatbush and throughout New York. Our founder, John Howley, spent 20 years representing major corporations like Pfizer, Citibank, and Sony—even arguing cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Now we use that same level of skill and experience to protect people who speak up about fraud. We’ve secured an $80 million settlement in employment discrimination and helped dozens of whistleblowers earn substantial financial rewards while protecting their careers.
Flatbush’s diverse professional community—where 85% of workers hold professional or administrative positions—often witnesses the kind of sophisticated fraud schemes that qualify for whistleblower protection. Whether you work in healthcare, finance, or government contracting, we understand your industry and the pressures you face.
Retaliation Attorney Process Flatbush
First, we meet confidentially to review your situation. You’ll speak directly with John Howley—not a paralegal or junior associate. We evaluate whether your information qualifies for whistleblower protection and potential rewards.
If you decide to move forward, we file a sealed complaint in federal court. This keeps your identity confidential while the government investigates. During this period, which can last months or years, you’re protected from retaliation under federal law.
The government then decides whether to join your case. If they do, they handle most of the litigation while you remain eligible for 15-25% of any recovery. If they decline, you can still proceed and potentially earn up to 30% of whatever you recover on your own. Either way, you’re protected from employer retaliation throughout the entire process.
Ready to get started?
Whistleblower Law Flatbush NY
New York offers some of the strongest whistleblower protections in the country. The New York False Claims Act covers fraud against state and local governments—including New York City agencies that many Flatbush residents work with or for.
Unlike federal law, New York’s statute also covers tax fraud, opening additional avenues for recovery. Since 2011, the state has recovered approximately $600 million in tax fraud cases alone, mostly through whistleblower-initiated lawsuits.
You’re also protected under federal programs like the SEC Whistleblower Program, the False Claims Act, and Sarbanes-Oxley. Each offers different protections and reward structures, but all prohibit retaliation and provide financial incentives for reporting fraud. We work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we secure a reward for you.
How much can I earn as a whistleblower in New York?
Whistleblower rewards typically range from 15-30% of whatever the government recovers from the fraudulent party. The exact percentage depends on factors like the quality of your information, your cooperation with the investigation, and whether the government joins your case.
The largest single whistleblower award to date was $250 million. Even smaller cases can result in substantial payments—healthcare fraud cases alone paid out $244 million to whistleblowers in 2019, averaging 13% of total recoveries.
Under New York’s False Claims Act, you can receive 15-25% if the state intervenes in your case, or 25-30% if you proceed without state intervention. There’s no cap on awards—the more fraud you help uncover, the larger your potential reward.
Will my employer find out I filed a whistleblower complaint?
Initially, no. Whistleblower complaints are filed under seal, meaning they remain confidential while the government investigates. This seal period typically lasts 60 days but can be extended for months or even years.
Your identity is protected throughout this investigation phase. Even if your case eventually becomes public, federal and state laws strictly prohibit retaliation against whistleblowers. If your employer does retaliate, you have additional legal remedies including reinstatement, back pay, and damages.
We work carefully to protect your confidentiality and career throughout the process. Many of our clients continue working at the same company while their case proceeds, and some cases settle without ever becoming public.
What types of fraud qualify for whistleblower protection in Flatbush?
Most fraud against government programs qualifies for whistleblower protection. This includes Medicare and Medicaid fraud, defense contractor fraud, securities violations, tax evasion, and false claims for government contracts or grants.
In Flatbush’s diverse economy, we commonly see healthcare fraud from medical providers, procurement fraud from city contractors, and financial fraud from investment firms. Educational fraud involving federal student aid or research grants also qualifies.
New York’s law is broader than federal statutes—it covers fraud against any state or local government entity, including the MTA, NYC Department of Education, or local housing authorities. Tax fraud cases are particularly strong in New York, where the state False Claims Act specifically covers tax violations that federal law excludes.
How long does a whistleblower case take to resolve?
Whistleblower cases typically take 2-5 years from filing to resolution, though some resolve faster and others take longer. The timeline depends on the complexity of the fraud, the government’s investigation priorities, and whether the case goes to trial or settles.
The initial seal period, when your case remains confidential, usually lasts 60 days but often gets extended as the government investigates. This investigation phase is actually beneficial—it allows prosecutors to build a strong case while protecting your identity.
Most cases settle rather than go to trial, which can speed resolution. Even during this waiting period, you’re protected from retaliation, and we keep you informed about the case’s progress. The eventual reward often makes the wait worthwhile—especially considering you’re helping recover taxpayer money while earning substantial compensation.
Do I need evidence to file a whistleblower complaint?
You don’t need complete evidence to file a whistleblower complaint, but you do need reliable information about fraud that isn’t already public. The government has extensive investigative resources and can uncover additional evidence after you file.
What matters most is having inside knowledge or observations that government investigators wouldn’t otherwise discover. This could be internal emails, billing records, meeting discussions, or patterns you’ve noticed in your work.
We help evaluate whether your information is sufficient to support a strong whistleblower case. Sometimes what seems like a small piece of the puzzle to you is exactly what investigators need to uncover a much larger fraud scheme. The key is acting quickly—whistleblower law rewards the first person to report specific fraud, so timing matters.
What if I signed a confidentiality agreement with my employer?
Confidentiality agreements cannot legally prevent you from reporting fraud to government authorities. Federal and state whistleblower laws specifically override such agreements when it comes to reporting violations of law.
Your employer cannot enforce a confidentiality clause to stop you from filing a whistleblower complaint or cooperating with a government investigation. In fact, any attempt to use such agreements to silence whistleblowers may itself violate federal law.
New York’s False Claims Act goes even further, explicitly allowing whistleblowers to disregard corporate confidentiality agreements when necessary to prove fraud. We review any agreements you’ve signed and advise you on how to protect yourself while still exercising your legal right to report fraud and earn whistleblower rewards.
Local Resources
Useful Links
Other Services we provide in Flatbush