(kwee tam) n. from Latin for "who as well," a lawsuit brought by a private citizen
(popularly called a "whistle blower") against a person or company who is believed
to have violated the law in the performance of a contract with the government or
in violation of a government regulation, when there is a statute which provides
for a penalty for such violations. Qui tam suits are brought for "the government
as well as the plaintiff. " In a qui tam action the plaintiff (the person bringing
the suit) will be entitled to a percentage of the recovery of the penalty (which
may include large amounts for breach of contract) as a reward for exposing the wrongdoing
and recovering funds for the government. Sometimes the federal or state government
will intervene and become a party to the suit in order to guarantee success and
be part of any negotiations and conduct of the case. This type of action is generally
based on significant violations which involve fraudulent or criminal acts, and not
technical violations and/or errors.
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