This Article provides a definition of the term “Relator” as used in the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. Under the False Claims Act, a whistleblower is entitled to a significant monetary reward for reporting fraud against the government. In fact, the average whistleblower reward paid to a Relator under the False Claims Act is $1 million.
Because this is the main government reward program, understanding the definition of the term “Relator” is important.
The term or definition of “Relator” as used in the qui tam provision of the False Claims Act means one who relates to the government the fraud being committed against the government. It stems from an ancient legal practice that permits a person to institute a legal proceeding, such as a lawsuit, in the name of the government or the Attorney General on behalf of that government official.
A legal dictionary defines the term “Relator” this way:
“A party in interest who is permitted to institute a proceeding in the name of the People or the Attorney General when the right to sue resides solely in that official.” (Black’s Law Dictionary 1289 (6th ed. 1990).”)
Many people incorrectly spell or pronounce “Relator” as “realtor.” As you know a realtor is a real estate agent that normally gets 6% commission for selling a house. But a Relator under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act receives between 15 and 25 percent of the proceeds from a qui tam suit as a reward for being a Relator to the government who reports fraud against the government.
Thus, the definition or meaning of the term Relator refers to someone eligible for a whistleblower reward based upon having an attorney file a qui tam lawsuit under the False Claims Act on behalf of the government alleging someone defrauded the government.
See the link at the bottom of the page below “Do I have a case” to have Mr. Hesch review your potential whistleblower reward case. See the link at the bottom of the page below “Report Fraud” to learn more about the government’s whistleblower reward program.
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