| Practice Areas The Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act (Virginia Code §8.01-216.1 et seq.) Litigation under the Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act ("VFATA") is a specialty of the firm. Founding partner Zachary Kitts was the first lawyer in private practice to prosecute a non-intervened case under the statute, and is recognized as one of the leading experts in Virginia on the VFATA. Zach also holds the current record for the largest non-healthcare recovery under the statute. The VFATA--which is closely modeled on the Federal False Claims Act--imposes liability on anyone making a knowingly false or fraudulent claim to the Commonwealth for money or property, and imposes treble damages, civil penalties, attorney’s fees, and costs on those who violate its terms. While the Virginia Attorney General can initiate an action on his own, a private citizen with nonpublic, first hand information about fraud on state government can also prosecute a case in the name of the Commonwealth. Such individuals are called "relators" in the language of the statute, and they are entitled to share in the Commonwealth's recovery. To read more, you can visit Zach's blog on the Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act and qui tam practice in Virginia at www.vaquitamlaw.com To learn whether you might have a case under the Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act, please call us or click here. |
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