Opinion ID: 2898290
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: fata

Text: {25} FATA prohibits knowingly presenting false or fraudulent claims for payment from the State and conspiring to defraud the State. See § 44-9-3(A). FATA was enacted in 2007, but includes a provision that explicitly authorizes retroactive claims. Section 44-9-12(A) states: A civil action pursuant to the Fraud Against Taxpayers Act may be brought for conduct that occurred prior to the effective date of that act, but not for conduct that occurred prior to July 1, 1987. The statutory penalties for violating FATA include: (1) three times the amount of damages sustained by the state because of the violation; (2) a civil penalty of not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) and not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for each violation; (3) the costs of a civil action brought to recover damages or penalties; and (4) reasonable attorney fees, including the fees of the attorney general or 9 state agency counsel. See § 44-9-3(C). FATA closely tracks the longstanding federal False Claims Act. Compare § 44-9-3, with 31 U.S.C. § 3729 (2014). Like the federal Act, FATA allows the Attorney General or a qui tam plaintiff, on behalf of the State, to bring a civil action for violation of the Act. See §§ 44-9-4(A), 44-9-5. FATA authorizes a qui tam plaintiff to recover up to thirty percent of the damage award as well as reasonable expenses incurred in the action and reasonable attorneys’ fees. See § 44-9-7. This award serves as an incentive to private individuals to act on behalf of the public good by bringing the suit. See Vt. Agency of Natural Res. v. United States ex rel. Stevens, 529 U.S. 765, 769-70 (2000). The State is entitled to the remainder of the damage award (all proceeds not awarded to the qui tam plaintiff) to fully reimburse the State for the false claim paid. See § 44-9-7(E).