Frequently Asked Questions

What are the regulations for liabilities under the Federal Civil Penalties Adjustment Act of 1990?

The Federal Civil Penalties Adjustment Act of 1990, as outlined in the U.S. Code § 3729, sets forth regulations for liabilities related to false claims. Under this act, individuals or companies found guilty of certain acts are liable for a penalty ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, payable to the U.S. Government. The acts that can lead to such liabilities include knowingly presenting a fraudulent claim, using false statements or records, conspiring to break any law related to making claims, knowingly delivering less than all of the property or money under one's control, custody, or possession that is to be used by the government, and knowingly concealing or avoiding an obligation to pay the government. The act also allows the government to collect triple the damages sustained by the act of the individual or company. However, in some cases, the court may reduce the damages if the individual or company provides information about the violation within 30 days, fully cooperates with the investigation, and had no knowledge about an ongoing investigation into the violation. In such cases, the court may assess a penalty of double the damages sustained by the government.