On January 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released its False Claims Act (FCA) statistics for the fiscal year (FY) 2024. DOJ reported that more than $2.9 billion was recovered from settlements and judgments in 2024, up from $2.68 billion in FY 2023 and $2.2 billion in FY 2022.

Since 1986, the False Claims Act has led to over $78 billion in settlements and judgments, a testament to its effectiveness in combating fraud against the government. In FY 2024, there were 558 settlements and judgments, the second highest total ever, and whistleblowers filed 979 qui tam suits – the most in a single year. Notably, over $2.4 billion of the recoveries were the result of qui tam litigation, highlighting the critical role private individuals play in uncovering fraud and holding wrongdoers accountable. 

“The False Claims Act and its whistleblower provisions remain a critical tool in protecting the public fisc and ensuring that taxpayer funds serve the purposes for which they were intended.” said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. 

Close to 58% of the recoveries were from health care industry matters, highlighting DOJ’s commitment to preventing health care fraud. DOJ settled several opioid epidemic related lawsuits, including a $475.6 million unsecured claim with Endo Health Solutions and a $7.5 million settlement with Rite Aid Corporation, plus a general unsecured claim of $401.8 million. DOJ also reached several notable kickback and Stark Law settlements, including a $345 million settlement with Community Health Network and a $34.5 million settlement with DaVita Inc.

In addition to health care recoveries, DOJ collected over $250 million in pandemic-related fraud settlements, focused on its cybersecurity initiative, resolving several cases where the defendants failed to meet cybersecurity requirements, and reached agreements regarding contract, grant, and procurement fraud claims. Department of Defense fraud recoveries were significantly down, with the government only recovering about $93 million.

Relator shares exceeded $400 million, or close to 14% of the total recoveries, for their participation in exposing the fraudulent conduct. 

“Whistleblowers play a critical role in identifying fraud schemes,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton. “We will continue to be grateful for their efforts and often substantial sacrifices to uncover these schemes.” To hear more about whistleblower stories, listen to Fraud in America.

Grace Swindler is the Director of Legal Education at The Anti-Fraud Coalition. This blog was edited by Jacklyn DeMar, the President & CEO at The Anti-Fraud Coalition.