Typically, the government will assign each to an assistant United States attorney (AUSA) in the jurisdiction where you filed and an attorney or agent from the United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. Representatives from various governmental agencies may also be involved, depending on the nature of the allegations. For example, the Department of Health and Human Services may be included in Medicare or Medicaid fraud cases, while the Department of Defense may be involved in defense contracting fraud.
Once you file a case, the government determines the investigation’s course. The government may ask the relator for help as the case progresses, but all strategic decision-making is up to the government agents assigned to the case. The relator’s role can vary greatly depending on the relator’s employment status and the investigation’s depth. For example, the government may ask a relator to provide a potential witness list, to analyze documents, or even to wear a wire to record conversations.