Other Non-U.S. Citizens Eligible Too: Recent $30 Million Award
Last year the United States Department of Justice paid out over $635,000,000.00 (US) in whistleblower awards. The various 50 states, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) paid out tens of millions of dollars more.
Some of the biggest awards were paid in pharmaceutical cases – awards of $25,000,000 (US) or more.
Dinesh Thakur Receives $48 Million Reward for cGMP and Unsafe Drug Report
The question often asked is does someone have to be a U.S. citizen or live in the United States to collect an award? The answer is “NO!” Dinesh Thakur, a dual citizen of India and the U.S., received $48 million for bringing dangerous drug manufacturing and cGMP violations to the attention of the U.S. Justice Department and FDA.
Information about the Dinesh Thakur – Ranbaxy case can be found here (191K).
SEC $30 Million Whistleblower Award to Foreign National
Last year the SEC awarded a foreign national $30 million (US). Concerned about confidentiality, the SEC did not disclose the nationality of the award recipient or even the industry where he or she worked. This case affirms that the U.S. can and does pay whistleblower rewards regardless where the conduct occurred or the residence or citizenship of the person who reports.
A copy of the SEC whistleblower award can be found here (57K).
We live in a very mobile society with corporations often doing business around the world. Crime, corruption, greed and fraud know no borders and thankfully, most of the U.S. whistleblower laws don’t have geographical restrictions either.
cGMP Violations and Other Information for False Claims Act Cash Rewards
If dangerous drugs are being imported into the United States or if U.S. pharmaceutical companies are paying bribes or engaging in illegal activities outside the United States, chances are quite good that award monies are available. Claiming an award, particularly by a person located in a foreign country, requires a lawyer however.
The largest awards are generally paid in False Claims Act cases and that process involves filing a sealed lawsuit in a federal court somewhere in the United States. If you think you have information about corrupt practices, cGMP violations or other unsafe / illegal actions, give us a call.
We can help match you with a lawyer that can help screen your case.