Opinion ID: 2510469
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: facts and procedural histories

Text: To expose and combat attempted fraud against the government, Nevada passed legislation in 1999 encouraging private citizens to come forward with information of wrongful claims for governmental funds. [1] Nevada's FCA, codified at NRS Chapter 357, permits persons to become private attorneys general, [2] granting them the right and financial incentive to sue on behalf of the state and its political subdivisions if money, property or services provided by the State [or its political subdivisions] are involved. [3] A private plaintiff who files a false claims action on behalf of himself and the state or political subdivision is referred to as a qui tam plaintiff. [4] Under the FCA, the qui tam plaintiff is entitled to whistleblower protections and between 15 and 50 percent of any recovery, [5] the remainder of which goes into the State General Fund. [6] When the qui tam plaintiff files an action, he or she must send a copy of the complaint and written disclosure of all material information to the Attorney General. [7] The complaint is then sealed until the Attorney General decides whether to intervene; [8] the defendants are not served until the complaint is unsealed. [9] If the Attorney General decides to intervene and proceed with the action, the private plaintiff must cede control of the litigation [10] but nevertheless remains a party to the action. [11] But if the Attorney General initially decides not to intervene, the private plaintiff may proceed alone, with the same rights as the Attorney General would have had. [12] The Attorney General may later intervene only upon timely application and if the interest of the State ... in recovery of the money or property involved is not being adequately represented by the private plaintiff. [13] The Attorney General also has authority to settle the action and may move to dismiss the action for good cause. [14] Generally, a false claims action may not be maintained if administrative or court proceedings involving the same underlying facts and allegations were previously instigated. [15]