Table 2.

Overview of the False Claims Act, (31 U.S.C. §§ 3729-3733)¹⁶

Sec. 3729. False Claims (a) Liability for Certain Acts—any person who: Knowingly presents, or causes to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval; Knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent; Conspires to commit a violation of subparagraph (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5); Has possession, custody, or control of property or money used, or to be used, by the government and knowingly delivers, or causes to be delivered, less than all of that money or property; Is authorized to make or deliver a document certifying receipt of property used, or to be used, by the government and, intending to defraud the government, makes or delivers the receipt without completely knowing that the information on the receipt is true; Knowingly buys, or receives as a pledge of an obligation or debt, public property from an officer or employee of the government, or a member of the armed forces, who lawfully may not sell or pledge the property; or Knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used a false record or statement material to an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the government or knowingly conceals or knowingly and improperly avoids or decreases an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the Government. . . is liable to the United States Government for treble damages and civil penalties.