Georgia False Claims Act Defense Lawyers

Reduce the Chances of Criminal Jail Time or High Civil Fines in Federal Georgia False Claims Act Defense Cases in Georgia. Our Civil and Criminal Defense Lawyers Aggressively Fight Back. Our Goal is to Get Your Case Thrown Out or Minimize Any Adverse Outcomes.

Defending against a federal False Claims Act (FCA) claim in Georgia (whether at the investigation stage or post-indictment stage) will also create stress, fear, and uncertainty about your company’s future, your reputation, and even the future of your family. There is simply no other way to say it.

However, when it comes to defending those  FCA can accomplish positive results. Building a team of legal professionals who understand how federal prosecutors operate, AND knowing specific regulations in question (government contracts, healthcare and PPP fraud), will put you in a stronger position to negotiate and or fight back.

That is where our Georgia False Claims Act defense lawyers at Watson & Associates, LLC come in. 

Do you have the legal firepower to defend your reputation and livelihood if you are investigated or indicted for healthcare fraud or federal government contracts fraud?

False Claims Act charges can develop from several substantive actions by your company. The question is, Why are there so many companies and CEOs that end up indicted and paying millions to resolve their case?

We Build a Legal Defense Team that Focuses on Getting Your Investigation Case Dismissed.

If you are a government contractor or healthcare industry client investigated or charged with federal government contract fraud violation or healthcare fraud or some other federal charge under 31 USC 3729, Our Georgia False Claims Act defense lawyers and federal criminal defense attorneys can provide immediate legal defense help in federal cases.

31 USC 3729 | FEDERAL PROCUREMENT | CIVIL INVESTIGATIVE DEMANDS | HEALTHCARE FRAUD | BUSINESS PPP LOAN DEFENSE | BUY AMERICAN ACT | TRADE AGREEMENTS ACT  | SUBPOENAS | QUI TAM DEFENSE | INDICTMENTS | FEDERAL CRIMINAL TRIALS | WHITE COLLAR DEFENSE

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE FALSE CLAIMS ACT DEFENSE CHECKLIST - MINIMIZE JAIL TIME

Watson & Associates, LLC offers Federal Georgia False Claims Act criminal defense attorneys and Qui Tam Whistleblower Defense Law Firm – We Provide Civil and Criminal Defense Help For Government Contractors, HealthCare Corporations and Professionals, and Individuals Throughout the USA  to Avoid Civil Fines and Criminal Liability and Minimize Costly Legal Mistakes.   

• Our clients believe that putting the resources it takes to prevail is worth developing a strong legal defense that stands a chance of winning
• Clients realize that we have the unique experience in federal government contracting and develop a health care criminal defense team that focuses on the substantive issues.
• If we don’t deal with the underlying alleged violations and let the prosecutor focus on the remaining False Claims Act charge – they win.

Watson & Associates, LLC Georgia False Claims Act defense lawyers and civil and criminal defense attorneys Serve Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, Savannah, Athens, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Albany, Johns Creek, Warner Robins, Alpharetta, Marietta, Valdosta, Smyrna, Dunwoody, Rome, East Point, Milton, Gainesville, Hinesville, Peachtree City, Newnan, Dalton, Douglasville, Kennesaw, LaGrange, Statesboro, Lawrenceville, Duluth, Stockbridge, Woodstock, Carrollton, Canton, Griffin, McDonough, Acworth, Pooler, Union City, Decatur, Cartersville, Sugar Hill, Milledgeville, Snellville, Forest Park, Thomasville, St. Marys, Tifton, Americus, Kingsland, Suwanee, Dublin, Calhoun, Chamblee, Brunswick, Norcross, Riverdale, Conyers, Perry, College Park, Moultrie, Waycross, Winder, Powder Springs, Villa Rica, Fairburn, Monroe, Covington, Cusseta, Buford, Bainbridge, Lilburn, Grovetown, Dallas, Douglas, and more.

Schedule a consultation with a government contract fraud lawyer OR call our toll-free number 1(866-601-5518) for immediate help.)

Watson & Associates, LLC offers top federal civil and criminal defense lawyers who understand the underlying issues in a federal Georgia False Claims Act case. We help clients from the initial investigative stage through indictment and trial.

If you are reading this page, you are probably at a critical stage in your life where you are either under federal criminal investigation, indicted or need aggressive trial defense attorneys. In either situation, you don’t have time to waste.

Your constitutional rights and legal defenses to fight back. The earlier you act, the better your chances. Federal prosecutors tend not to try to resolve matters the closer they get to trial.

If you are a federal contractor or involved in a federal contract fraud or false claims act, Never Attempt to Navigate False Claims Act Cases On Your Own.  Contact us immediately. Call 1.866.601.5518.

Best defense attorney for False Claims Act cases in Georgia Theodore Watson, leading the Federal False Claims Act Healthcare Fraud and  Government Contracts Practice Group, brings a unique perspective. He understands the various nuances and adeptly handles legal issues in the U.S. government space.

Your Chance to Get a Better Outcome in US Federal Civil and Criminal Defense Cases

Our law firm provides proactive strategies to safeguard your rights and reputation, leveraging our understanding of the federal civil and criminal legal landscapes.

For legal support in Georgia healthcare fraud defense cases, and government contract fraud criminal defense, contact Theodore Watson at 1.866.601.5518. We are committed to serving your legal needs in Georgia.

Federal False Claims Act (FCA) – Key Things to Know

• The Federal False Claims Act (FCA) applies to individuals, businesses, and federal government contractors who directly or indirectly are involved with a federal government contract, grant, healthcare program, PPP Loan, or other method of receiving payment or benefit from the government. 
• Federal prosecutors have to show that you knowingly submit or cause the submission of a false claim for payment or approval by the federal government. For government contractors, it could mean submitting an invoice for payment, submitting a bid, or even certifying information to be admitted into SBA small business programs. The False Act Act also applies to healthcare professionals and applicants for the SBA PPP loan.
• Federal prosecutors will present a case suggesting that, regardless of your legal defense, you should have known about the False Claim. Under the FCA, actual knowledge is not required.

Actual Federal False Claims Act Cases (Government Contracting, HealthCare, and SBA PPP)

• If Possible We Help Our Clients to Avoid Getting on this List

Fresno Doctors Agree to Pay $2.4 Million to Resolve Kickback Allegations – November 21, 2024)

Dell and Iron Bow Agree to Pay $4.3M to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Submitting Non-Competitive Bids to the Army – November 19, 2024

Pharmaceutical Company QOL Medical and CEO Agree to Pay $47M for Allegedly Paying Kickbacks to Induce Claims for QOL’s Drug Sucraid –November 15, 2024

Virginia hospital system agrees to $2.37M False Claims settlement –November 15, 2024

QOL Medical and Its CEO Agree To Pay $47 Million for Allegedly Paying Kickbacks To Induce Claims for QOL’s Drug Sucraid

Country Club to Pay Over $630,000 to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Improper Receipt of Paycheck Protection Program Loan–  November 13, 2024

Florida Ophthalmology Practice Agrees to Pay $1.3M to Resolve Allegations of Fraudulent Claims for Cranial Ultrasounds  – November 12, 2024

What are Some Ways You Can Defend Against Your Federal False Claims Act Fraud Case?

Defending against your False Claims Act case in Georgia. Depending on whether your case involves a government contract fraud matter or a Georgia healthcare fraud defense case , your criminal defense lawyers have to develop a strong legal defense given the facts before them.Among other legal defenses that can be used, the following are some of the common ways to defend a False Claims Act case.

1. Lack of Knowledge or Intent

One of the central elements of an FCA claim is that you “knowingly” submitted a false claim to the government. The term “knowingly” includes actual knowledge, deliberate ignorance, or reckless disregard of the truth. Our Georgia False Claims Act defense lawyers look to immediately develop a strong defense showing that the alleged false claim was the result of a mistake or negligence, rather than intentional fraud.

• Honest Mistake: The defense may argue that any inaccuracies in the claim were the result of an honest mistake or even a clerical error, rather than fraudulent intent.
• Absence of Reckless Disregard: This FCA legal defense can also show that the actions did not constitute reckless disregard or deliberate ignorance, but were instead reasonable under the circumstances.(these are examples of how our False Claims Act defense attorneys will develop your case.)

2. Materiality Defense

To successfully defeat a False Claims Act charge, our defense attorneys will look to show that the false statement or claim was not material to the government’s decision to pay the claim. The materiality defense to a False Claims Act charge would show that even if a false statement was made, it was not significant enough to influence the government’s payment decision.

• Immaterial Misrepresentation: The defense can argue that the alleged misrepresentation was immaterial to the government’s decision to make the payment and therefore does not meet the threshold for an FCA violation.
• Non-Essential Information: If the false information you provided was not essential to the actual claim, our Georgia False Claims Act defense attorneys may argue that it did not impact the government’s decision to pay, and thus undermines the FCA claim.

3. Statute of Limitations

The FCA has a statute of limitations, that requires that claims be brought within six years of the alleged violation, or three years after the government knew or should have known about the violation, but no more than ten years after the violation occurred. If a claim is brought outside of this timeframe, you can argue that the claim is time-barred.

• Expired Statute of Limitations: The defense may argue that the government or whistleblower filed the claim after the statutory period had expired, and thus the claim should be dismissed.

How Can We Defend Your FCA Case?

How to defend against government procurement fraud FCA? We understand that in most cases, federal False Claims Act defendants in Georgia do not intend to defraud the government or defraud the healthcare system.

In those cases, we look to be able to show an honest mistake. The immediate goal is to find out what the feds have against you and to conduct an internal investigation. This can be a costly investment.

However, when you are facing civil and criminal charges, the alternative is much more dangerous.  Our Georgia False Claims Act criminal defense lawyers all work as a team and get to the bottom line – what are we dealing with, and what legal defense strategies can be used to put you in a better position or position to negotiate?

• Assess the case and determine the potential civil and or criminal charges
• We work with decision-makers to figure out what they can do to resolve the situation (especially without jail time or expensive trials).
• When you are involved in a False Claims Act qui tam case, we look to discredit the Plaintiff (Relator) and pick apart the government’s case
• In high-profile cases (government contract fraud or healthcare fraud), we consider bringing experts to support your legal defenses. This puts you in a better negotiation position.

What Are FCA Penalties?

Federal False Claims Act investigations and indictments in Georgia can create significant stress and hardships. However, you still have to deal with the problem. You can either have civil or criminal penalties or both (parallel cases.)  You always must be careful with how you respond to one because you don’t know it another case or charges will be brought.

• False Claims Act Civil Liability: Triple damages and a penalty of up to $ 11,000 per claim for anyone who knowingly submits or causes submission of a false or fraudulent claim to the United States.
• False Claims Act Criminal Liability (18 USC 287): Healthcare providers who intentionally present fraudulent claims to the government for reimbursement with the knowledge that such claims were false, fictitious, or fraudulent are exposed to five-year imprisonment and a fine of $ 250,000 (individuals) or $ 500,000 (companies) for federal felony convictions and $ 100,000 (individuals) or $ 200,000 (companies) for misdemeanor convictions— for each claim.

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE FALSE CLAIMS ACT DEFENSE CHECKLIST - MINIMIZE JAIL TIME

False Claims Act Defense Attorneys Federal Government Contractors in Georgia

FCA attorney for procurement fraud Georgia: Small businesses and large defense contractors alike face extreme scrutiny when they provide construction or services to the federal government.

When you receive a federal False Claims Act civil investigative demand from the DOJ or OIG, or some other law enforcement agency, our Georgia False Claims Act defense attorneys can help. We represent various types of procurement clients, including:

• SBA 8(a) small. Businesses
• Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOSB)
• SBA HUBZone Small businesses
• Prime Contractors
• Subcontractors
• Corporate CEOs
• Manufacturers
• Health Care Agencies
• Buy American Act (BAA compliance) fraud
• Trade Agreements Act False Claims defense
• Bid rigging
• False medical invoices and treatment

Hire a government procurement fraud defense lawyer in Georgia locations (Call 1.866.601.5518).

Qui Tam Defense & Georgia HealthCare Fraud False Claims Act Criminal Defense Lawyers 

Doctors, nurses, other individual healthcare practitioners in Georgia, healthcare entities, businesses, and corporate facilities located in Georgia have an exceptionally higher risk of being involved in a False Claims Act criminal investigation than in the majority of the United States.

Georgia FCA defendants are at a high risk of being investigated. 

Antikickback defense/ FCA Attorney: Watson & Associates, LLC  offers aggressive defense for healthcare providers and manufacturers. We represent hospitals in a federal investigation for antikickback allegations or criminally indicted federally for FCA allegations.

How to defend against healthcare fraud in government investigations in Georgia? Depending on the value of the fraud, government proof, and a number of other factors, it is also possible the complexity of your Federal healthcare fraud False Claims Act criminal case in Georgia and the odds of you losing at a civil or criminal trial prior to being formally charged. Our Georgia healthcare fraud criminal defense lawyers can help.

Our Georgia healthcare False Claims Act defense attorneys work with local counsel and will provide an experienced healthcare whistleblower defense attorney to defend your case aggressively.

Georgia Buy American Act False Claims Act Fraud?

Best lawyer for FCA government contracts fraud : A federal government contractor can defraud the Government by knowingly providing goods that were procured in violation of the federal Buy American Act and the U.S. Trade Agreements Act in Georgia, if the Government would not have purchased the goods from that contractor if it had known of the violations.

Whistleblowers can help fight Buy American Act fraud by filing a qui tam lawsuit under the federal False Claims Act.

Watson & Associates offers experienced federal Civil and criminal defense lawyers in Georgia who understand procurement laws and how the BAA applies to FCA cases. See 41 U.S.C.A. §10a-d. and FAR Part 25.

U.S. Trade Agreements Act False Claims Act Criminal Defense Lawyers Georgia 

Government suppliers entering into Multiple Award Schedule GSA contracts to sell products to federal government purchasers under the Federal Supply Schedule must agree to comply with the U.S. Trade Agreements Act of 1979, 19 U.S.C. § 2501, et. seq.

Under the terms of TAA compliance requirements, manufacturers, prime contractors, subcontractors, or vendors who sell foreign-made products to the United States Government are required only to sell such products that are made or “substantially transformed” in countries with reciprocal trade agreements with the United States.

When those rules are violated, OIG or DOJ may initiate a federal False Claims Act case against you. This is where our Georgia False Claims Act defense lawyers and Trade Agreements Act criminal defense attorneys can help.

What are Civil and Criminal Penalties Under the Federal False Claims Act?

You can be charged with both (known as parallel cases). If you are a government contractor, healthcare professional, or corporation or an individual investigated for violating the Federal False Claims Act, you can be subject to both civil and criminal penalties.

Sometimes, you may receive a civil investigative demand (CID) from the Office of Inspector General (OIG), or the Department of Justice (DOJ) alleging violations of the federal criminal False Claims Act. If you are under investigation and you need reliable legal representation, call the Georgia False Claims Act defense law firm at Watson & Associates, LLC.

You are exposed to the following civil penalties:

• Treble damages (damages that are three times more than the amount that the claim is worth)
• A fine of up to $11,000 per false claim
• State disciplinary proceedings
• Loss of your professional license (health care, construction, or other
• Suspension and debarment
• You could be ordered to pay attorneys’ fees for the federal government

You can also be exposed to criminal False Claims Act penalties, which could be: 

• Criminal indictment
• Prison time
• A fine of $250,000 per claim for individuals for federal felony convictions
• A fine of $500,000 per claim for businesses for federal felony convictions
• A fine of $100,000 per claim for individuals for a misdemeanor conviction
• A fine of $200,000 per claim for businesses for a misdemeanor conviction

Federal Georgia Whistleblower Qui Tam Defense Lawyers 

Federal False Claims Act investigations or lawsuits in Georgia can be initiated by a filing by a whistleblower or Qui Relator. A relator could be a former or current employee, another contractor, or some other interested party.

These cases are filed under seal and not released to the public. At Watson & Associates, LLC, our Georgia False Claims Act defense lawyers help government contractors, defendants in the healthcare industry, CEOs, and individuals charged or investigated under the False Claims Act.

Help With False Claims Act Civil Investigative Demands or Subpoenas

Federal law enforcement agencies, such as OIG, DEA, DOJ, DHHS, or IRS, may issue subpoenas or civil investigative demands for your financial, billing, corporate, communication, and other records. Whether you receive a civil investigative demand or a criminal subpoena, our Georgia Civil Investigative Demand lawyers can help.

We Aggressively Defend You in Federal False Claims Act Investigations

The Georgia False Claims Act attorneys at Watson & Associates, LLC will contact the government to immediately develop the best possible legal defense for FCA investigations throughout the United States. Whether you are investigated for federal procurement fraud, healthcare fraud, or some other basis for the investigation, we can help.

Hire a federal False Claims Act defense attorney at Watson &. Associates LLC Call For a FREE Initial Consultation at 1.866.601.5518. Ask to Speak with Theodore Watson, Lead Counsel

Why Choose Watson & Associates, LLC As Your Georgia False Claims Act Defense Attorney?

At Watson. & Associates, LLC, our law firm, has found that local federal criminal defense attorneys may not always be savvy or experienced in the various underlying allegations that trigger federal Georgia False Claims Act cases under 31 USC 3729. 

This is especially true when the false claims allegation is triggered from the Buy American Act (BAA Compliance); Trade Agreements Act (TAA Compliance) or most of all violation of one the SBA small business programs (SBA 8(a)BD; SDVOSB Fraud; HUBZone Programs). 

You will quickly find out that unless legal counsel has some experience in these areas, the government lawyers usually will prevail in a Georgia federal False Claims Act fraud case.

When the federal government prosecutor and investigators come knocking on your door with federal False Claims Act civil investigative demand (CID) requests, subpoenas, or indictments, the stakes are high; our Georgia False Claims Act criminal defense lawyers can immediately step in and build an aggressive defense team. We represent clients that include: