A number of groups exist that are related to whistleblowing and anti-fraud measures. A few of them are the Government Accountability Project, the National Whistleblower Center, and the Project on Government Oversight. However, you might not have heard of the Taxpayers Against Fraud Educational Fund (TAFEF). I recently joined them because I believe in their mission to educate people regarding whistleblowing and in the fight against government fraud and waste.
What is the Objective of the Taxpayers Against Fraud Educational Fund?
TAFEF dedicates itself to fighting fraud against the government and to protecting public resources by employing public-private partnerships. This nonprofit public interest organization receives support from successful whistleblowers, whistleblower attorneys, membership dues, and grants from foundations. TAFEF, a 501(c)(3) organization, is one arm of Taxpayers Against Fraud, founded in 1986.
TAFEF’s mission is to maintain the integrity of whistleblowing and to advance the enforcement of whistleblowing laws in the following ways:
- Educate citizens about various award-granting whistleblower programs and their history, such as the False Claims Act (FCA) and the whistleblower programs run by the SEC, CFTC, and IRS.
- Record the value and foundations of the same whistleblower programs, with special emphasis on their qui tam
- Promote support for whistleblower cases and whistleblowers themselves.
What is TAFEF Doing for Me?
The Taxpayers Against Fraud Educational Fund is occupied with fighting false claims and fraud against the government, fraud for which you and I, as taxpayers, foot the bill. A few of the many objectives of TAFEF are:
- Protecting the FCA. A number of organizations would like to see the FCA disappear, but TAFEF does their best to keep corporate lobbyists from weakening the False Claims Act.
- Expanding the FCA to the individual states. TAFEF wants to see all 50 states introduce their own FCA laws.
- Educating potential whistleblowers. The TAFEF is often one of the first places whistleblowers go to learn about the FCA’s provisions as well as other whistleblower programs.
- Assisting and counseling whistleblowers and their lawyers. TAFEF has ideas, feedback, answers, advice and recommendations for those involved in a whistleblower case.
- Filing amicus curiae (friend of the court) briefs in significant whistleblower cases.
- Operating an online library and legal database specific to whistleblowing.
- Educating the public about ways to curtail fraud. Fraud can indeed be considered a business plan by unscrupulous companies. TAFEF provides explanations and information about such unethical practices.
- Providing accessible public information regarding false claims.
- Working for improvements in legislative solutions in order to prevent future fraud.
TAFEF has many resources, including a blog detailing some of the latest court decisions. If you are considering becoming a whistleblower, or if you already are one, I urge you to view the information on the website. You can find me, Bert Louthian, by entering my last name in the TAFEF’s search facilities.
Making a difference.
If you think you have the facts needed to bring a whistleblower case, the experienced whistleblower attorneys at the Louthian Law Firm can review your case and help you file the appropriate disclosure statement. Under some circumstances, the government will intervene, or join in your lawsuit.
Your chances of succeeding are greater if your whistleblower claim is substantive, clear, and to the point. Because of this, meeting with a qualified whistleblower attorney can increase your chances of winning. The Louthian Law Firm can help you form your claim so that the government will be more inclined to intervene in your case; government intervention can sometimes increase the chances of recovering reward money. Even if the government decides not to intervene, it could still be a good idea to pursue your case without government involvement. Our strong support system can assist you through every step of the process.
For a free, confidential evaluation of your case, call the Louthian Law Firm today at 1-803-454-1200 or, if you prefer, you can fill out our online contact form.