TL;DR: We are not a law firm. Conversations are confidential. You stay in control. Whistleblowers do not pay for our services. We specialize in Disclosure Sequencing, Retaliation Mapping, and Leverage Preservation. We work nationwide and refer to attorneys when litigation is appropriate.
TL;DR:No. We are former federal whistleblowers, not attorneys.
Disclosure Strategy is not a law firm. We are former federal whistleblowers who provide pre-disclosure guidance including Disclosure Sequencing, Retaliation Mapping, and Leverage Preservation. When litigation is appropriate, we connect you with experienced whistleblower attorneys at no cost to you.
TL;DR:Yes. We never share your information without your consent.
All communications with Disclosure Strategy are strictly confidential. We never share your information with third parties or contact anyone on your behalf without explicit consent. Your privacy is fundamental to our Disclosure Sequencing process, ensuring you maintain complete control over timing, narrative, and strategic positioning throughout your case.
TL;DR:No. You maintain complete control over all actions.
We never contact your employer or any third party on your behalf without explicit authorization. You maintain complete control over all actions taken. Our Leverage Preservation approach ensures every decision about disclosure timing, recipients, and communication strategy remains entirely yours throughout the entire process.
TL;DR:Yes. We assist whistleblowers across the United States.
We work with whistleblowers across the United States on matters involving federal agencies, government contractors, and regulated industries nationwide. Whether your case involves healthcare fraud, defense contracts, financial misconduct, or emerging AI/Algorithmic Fraud, we help you understand your strategic options through proper Disclosure Sequencing.
TL;DR:We connect qualified matters to experienced whistleblower counsel.
When a legal filing or formal submission appears appropriate, we connect qualified matters to experienced whistleblower counsel in the relevant area. We do not represent you. You decide what is shared and when. Our Disclosure Sequencing process ensures cases are positioned optimally before referral.
TL;DR:We focus on serious fraud and misconduct, not general workplace disputes.
We do not handle minor workplace disputes, activism campaigns, or primarily media-seeking cases. We focus on serious matters involving substantial fraud, safety violations, or significant misconduct including AI/Algorithmic Fraud that may qualify for whistleblower legal protections or significant financial awards under federal programs.
TL;DR:Usually not early. Timing is critical and mistakes are irreversible.
Media disclosure is typically a critical mistake when made prematurely in the disclosure process. It can destroy legal protections, forfeit significant financial awards, and alert wrongdoers before evidence is secured. Proper Disclosure Sequencing and Leverage Preservation require fully understanding timing implications before any irreversible step.
TL;DR:You may still have options. Timing and documentation are now critical.
If retaliation has already begun, strategic options may still exist to protect your position. Retaliation Mapping becomes critical at this stage to document patterns and preserve legal deadlines. Your response directly affects case outcomes. We help identify available steps while protecting remaining Leverage Preservation opportunities.
TL;DR:Keep details high-level. Never share confidential documents or names.
Never share confidential employer data, specific document contents, witness names, or detailed timelines in any online forum or form. Proper Disclosure Sequencing requires keeping all initial descriptions high-level and general. Detailed information should only be shared in confidential settings with qualified legal counsel to preserve case integrity.
TL;DR:A lawsuit where you file on behalf of the government and may share in recovered funds.
A qui tam lawsuit allows private individuals to file cases on behalf of the government against those committing fraud. Successful whistleblowers may receive 15-30% of recovered funds as their share. These False Claims Act cases have returned billions of dollars to taxpayers. Proper Disclosure Sequencing maximizes your recovery potential.
TL;DR:"Kee tam," rhyming with "Sam."
Qui tam is pronounced "kee tam," rhyming with "Sam." The Latin phrase means "he who brings action for the king as well as himself." This medieval English concept became U.S. law through the False Claims Act in 1863 and remains the foundation for modern whistleblower litigation.
TL;DR:A federal law that rewards whistleblowers who report fraud against the government.
The False Claims Act is federal law enabling whistleblowers to report government fraud and share in recovered funds. It covers Medicare, Medicaid, defense contracts, and federal programs including emerging AI/Algorithmic Fraud schemes. Proper Disclosure Sequencing under the Act has helped recover tens of billions of dollars.
TL;DR:Anyone with original knowledge of government or publicly traded company fraud may qualify.
Anyone with original, non-public knowledge of fraud against the government or a publicly traded company may qualify to file. This includes employees, contractors, and competitors with relevant information. You must be first to file on the specific fraud. Proper Disclosure Sequencing and Leverage Preservation are essential before filing.
TL;DR:Yes. The law requires legal representation.
Yes, legal representation is required by law for qui tam lawsuits. Experienced qui tam attorneys prepare detailed complaints, file them under seal in federal court, and guide the investigation process. Our Disclosure Sequencing prepares cases before attorney referral. We connect you with specialists at no cost.
TL;DR:Typically 3-5 years or longer.
Most qui tam cases take three to five years or longer to fully resolve. Timeline depends on fraud complexity, evidence quality, and the pace of government investigation. Cases remain sealed during the review period. Proper Leverage Preservation throughout this period protects your position and maximizes potential recovery.
TL;DR:15-30% of recovered funds, depending on the government's involvement.
Whistleblowers typically receive 15-25% of recovered funds when the government intervenes, or 25-30% when proceeding independently after declination. Rewards depend on information value and contribution to the case. Proper Disclosure Sequencing and Leverage Preservation maximize recovery. Relators have collectively received over $8 billion since 1986.
TL;DR:Yes. The False Claims Act prohibits retaliation and provides remedies.
Yes, the False Claims Act prohibits retaliation including termination, demotion, suspension, and harassment against whistleblowers. Remedies include reinstatement and double back pay for damages. Our Retaliation Mapping helps anticipate and document risks before filing. These protections apply to employees, contractors, and agents.
TL;DR:Yes. Many states have their own false claims laws with similar rewards.
Many states have their own false claims laws allowing qui tam lawsuits for fraud against state governments. Some cover only healthcare fraud while others address broader state-funded programs. State claims often accompany federal filings. Proper Disclosure Sequencing coordinates federal and state strategies to maximize protection and recovery.
TL;DR:The case is sealed while the government investigates, then becomes public.
After filing, complaints are sealed while the government investigates the allegations confidentially. The government then decides whether to intervene or allow independent prosecution. Leverage Preservation during the seal period is critical. Once unsealed, cases enter litigation with discovery, motions, and potential trial or settlement.
TL;DR:Fraud involving artificial intelligence systems, automated decision-making, or algorithmic manipulation.
AI/Algorithmic Fraud involves artificial intelligence systems, automated billing, or algorithmic manipulation to defraud government programs. This emerging area includes healthcare billing algorithms, defense contractor AI systems, and automated compliance evasion. Disclosure Sequencing for AI/Algorithmic Fraud Strategy requires specialized evidence preparation.
TL;DR:Whistleblowers do not pay for our services.
Whistleblowers do not pay for our services. If you retain whistleblower counsel, our consultancy is covered by the law firm at no cost to you. This arrangement allows us to provide strategic guidance throughout the Disclosure Sequencing process without creating financial barriers for those considering coming forward.
TL;DR:Yes. Everything you share with us is confidential.
All conversations with Disclosure Strategy are treated as strictly confidential from your first interaction. We do not share your information, contact third parties, or take action on your behalf without your explicit consent. You control what is disclosed, when it is disclosed, and to whom. While attorney-client privilege begins once you engage legal counsel, confidentiality applies from the start of our work together. Our Disclosure Strategy sequencing process is designed to protect your privacy, minimize exposure, and ensure sensitive information is shared only deliberately and strategically when appropriate.
TL;DR:Yes.
We work nationwide across serious fraud and misconduct categories.
TL;DR:High-level summary, timing, and what you are worried about.
Keep the first message high-level. Avoid sending documents until you have guidance on privilege and evidence handling.
TL;DR:Sometimes.
Strategy changes once others are alerted. Avoid further escalation without a plan. Start with our resources on what to do if retaliation has started and what not to post online.
TL;DR:We help you map a safe sequence, then you decide the next step.
After your first message, we typically clarify the category of misconduct, what agencies or programs may apply, and your current risk profile. From there, we build an initial Disclosure Strategy sequencing plan, identify what to preserve, and outline what not to do next. You remain in control of every decision that follows.
TL;DR:Slow down, preserve safely, and avoid creating new risk.
Common early mistakes include tipping off decision makers, forwarding sensitive files, or putting details in writing to the wrong audience. We help you identify safe documentation practices, preserve timelines, and avoid actions that can be reframed as policy violations.
TL;DR:Not usually, and it can increase retaliation risk.
Internal reporting is not required for many whistleblower programs and can increase personal and evidentiary risk if done without a plan. If you have already reported internally, sequencing still matters, and strategy must adapt to protect remaining options.
TL;DR:Non-public, first-hand, specific information is what usually drives protection and rewards.
Many whistleblower programs require original information, meaning it is not already known to the government and not derived solely from public sources. Originality and specificity often determine whether a matter is actionable, eligible for protection, and capable of qualifying for a financial award. This is why it is important to speak with us before you make any public comments or post on social media about your situation or what you know.
TL;DR:In many cases, only the first qualifying relator on the same fraud receives the reward.
For False Claims Act qui tam matters, timing can control eligibility. Being first with a properly positioned submission or filing can be decisive. Disclosure Strategy focuses on avoiding premature exposure while protecting priority and leverage.
TL;DR:Sometimes, but it depends on the program and usually requires counsel.
Some whistleblower programs allow anonymous reporting through an attorney. Other programs are confidential but not anonymous. We help you understand where anonymity is possible, where it is not, creative workarounds to protect your identity while preserving your eligibility for an award, and what practical steps reduce exposure risk based on your situation.
TL;DR:The case is filed confidentially while the government investigates.
Qui tam complaints are filed under seal, meaning they are not public while the Department of Justice evaluates whether to intervene. During the seal period, the company is not notified, the whistleblower's identity remains protected, and the government can investigate quietly. Seal periods are often extended beyond the initial statutory window. Breaching the seal is a serious federal offense and can compromise the case and the whistleblower's safety. We help you understand what must remain confidential, how long the seal typically lasts, and how to protect yourself throughout this phase.
TL;DR:Often treble damages plus per-claim penalties.
If liability is established under the FCA, defendants may face up to three times the government's losses plus statutory penalties for each false claim submitted. This potential exposure is why evidence quality, claim framing, and sequencing matter early. Most qui tam cases are resolved through settlements, though trials may occur.
TL;DR:It can include reckless disregard, not just intentional fraud.
Under the False Claims Act, a qui tam lawsuit may be based on an individual or entity that: knowingly submits, or causes to be submitted, a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval; knowingly makes or uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement important to a false claim; or knowingly conceals or improperly avoids obligations to pay money or transmit property to the government. The term "knowingly" under the Act includes not only actual knowledge of wrongdoing but also deliberate ignorance or reckless disregard for the truth. Individuals can therefore be liable even without intent to defraud. A whistleblower does not always need a direct admission of fraud, but credible, specific facts are essential.
TL;DR:Yes. We help route matters to the right program and counsel.
Not all whistleblower matters are FCA qui tam cases. Some are best handled through agency tip programs such as securities or commodities enforcement, while others involve state-level statutes. We help identify the right path before irreversible steps are taken.
TL;DR:Federal and state paths can overlap, and strategy changes by jurisdiction.
Some states have false claims statutes similar to the FCA, while others are limited to healthcare or specific programs. In many matters, federal and state claims can be coordinated. Proper sequencing avoids conflicts and preserves flexibility.
TL;DR:In some states, yes, but the rules are different.
A limited number of states allow whistleblowers to pursue rewards for certain private insurance fraud schemes. These cases follow different statutes and procedures than FCA claims and require careful routing to avoid disqualifying errors.