By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Senior National
Correspondent
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said it recovered more than $2.9 billion from False Claims Act (FCA) settlements and judgments in 2024. Among the highest in recent years, this figure was supported by a record 979 qui tam lawsuits filed by whistleblowers. These actions, where private citizens sue on behalf of the government, remain an essential element of federal enforcement, allowing individuals to help expose fraud and recover taxpayer funds.
This year’s results included 558 settlements and judgments, falling just short of the record 566 recoveries achieved in 2023. However, the DOJ said total recoveries exceeded the $2.4 billion reported a year earlier. Officials said the agency has maintained vigilance in attacking fraud schemes in all forms. They said since the FCA was strengthened in 1986, recoveries have surpassed $78 billion.
The latest report revealed that the healthcare sector contributed more than $1.67 billion to the total fraud costs.
Among the most notable cases was a $425 million settlement with Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.
The settlement put to bed allegations of fraudulent marketing and pricing practices involving its multiple sclerosis drug, Copaxone. According to the DOJ, the Raytheon Company, which agreed to pay $428 million to address claims of falsifying cost and pricing data on defense contracts, was another major victory.
DOJ officials claimed that the increase in whistleblower activity...
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