Oregon — Settlements and judgments under the False Claims Act (FCA) exceeded $6.8 billion in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, marking the largest single-year recovery in the statute’s history, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the record year underscores the law’s role as a cornerstone of federal anti-fraud enforcement. “Stopping rampant fraud is a top priority, and this record-breaking year proves the False Claims Act remains one of the government’s most powerful weapons against fraud,” Blanche said.
Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate, who leads the Justice Department’s Civil Division, credited department employees for aggressively pursuing complex fraud cases. He emphasized that FCA enforcement ensures taxpayer dollars are used for their intended public purposes.
The Justice Department reported that whistleblowers filed 1,297 qui tam lawsuits in fiscal year 2025, the highest number ever recorded and well above the previous record of 980 cases set in 2024. During the same period, the government opened 401 new investigations, including matters aligned with administration policy priorities. Since Congress strengthened the civil False Claims Act in 1986, total recoveries now exceed $85 billion.
Health care fraud remained the dominant source of recoveries. Of the $6.8 billion total, more than $5.7 billion stemmed from cases involving the health care industry, including matters related to Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE. Federal officials said these cases not only restored funds to public programs but also helped protect patients from medically unnecessary or potentially harmful practices. Key enforcement areas included managed care, prescription drugs, and medically unnecessary services.
The Department also continued pursuing fraud involving government procurement, loans, and grants, including cases tied to military contracting, cybersecurity requirements, and pandemic relief programs. Officials noted that fraud affecting the armed forces can jeopardize national security by depriving service members of critical resources.
In addition, the Justice Department intensified efforts to combat trade fraud, launching a cross-agency Trade Fraud Task Force to address schemes designed to evade tariffs and customs duties. These cases focus on misrepresentation of goods, country-of-origin fraud, and other practices that undermine domestic industries and federal revenues.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brenna Jenny said FCA enforcement is guided by responsible use of the statute to protect taxpayers and vulnerable populations. She also highlighted the department’s continued emphasis on rewarding companies and individuals that self-disclose misconduct, cooperate with investigations, and implement effective remedial measures, often resulting in reduced penalties.
Under the False Claims Act, successful whistleblowers—known as relators—may receive between 15% and 30% of recovered funds. In fiscal year 2025, settlements and judgments exceeding $5.3 billion were obtained in qui tam cases filed during the year and in earlier actions. The Justice Department noted that, unless otherwise stated, the claims resolved during the year are allegations, and no determination of liability has been made.
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