What kinds of defendants are sued under the False Claims Act?
In general, any organization or person who receives federal money can be charged as a defendant in a qui tam action. Some of the more common defendants in qui tam actions are: Government Contractors and Subcontractors. Medical Providers: Doctors, hospitals, chiropractors, psychologists, laboratories, home health agencies, durable medical goods providers, pharmacies, HMOs, and clinics. Private Universities: Private universities that have federal contracts, grants, and research and development funds. State and Local Government Agencies and Officials, including state colleges and universities: Because they are recipients of large amounts of federal money, state and local entities have been defendants in qui tam actions. These agencies are now far less likely to be sued, as the Supreme Court has restricted qui tam cases against state agencies.
