| Reward | 15–30% of recovery |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | California |
| Administered by | California Attorney General — False Claims Unit |
| Legal authority | Cal. Gov't Code §§ 12650–12656 |
| Fraud covered | State & local government funds, Healthcare & Medicare/Medicaid |
| Eligibility / shares | 15–25% if the state intervenes; 25–30% if you proceed alone. Covers the state and its political subdivisions (cities, counties, districts). |
| Anonymous filing | No — Filed under seal initially; relator's name becomes public if the case proceeds. |
| Attorney | Required. Qui tam suits effectively require counsel (contingency-based, no upfront cost). |
| Status | Active. |
Key takeaways
- Whistleblowers can receive 15–30% of recovery.
- Administered by California Attorney General — False Claims Unit.
- Filed under seal initially; relator's name becomes public if the case proceeds.
- An attorney is effectively required (contingency — no upfront cost).
- 15–25% if the state intervenes; 25–30% if you proceed alone. Covers the state and its political subdivisions (cities, counties, districts).
How to report and claim your reward
- Retain a whistleblower attorney
- File a qui tam complaint under seal in California state court
- Serve the Attorney General with the complaint and evidence disclosure
Track record
One of the most active state FCAs in the nation.
Good to know
Tax and workers' compensation claims are excluded. Fraud against San Francisco or any CA city/county is pursued under this act.
Anonymity: Filed under seal initially; relator's name becomes public if the case proceeds.
Should you talk to a whistleblower attorney first?
For this program, yes — qui tam suits effectively require counsel (contingency-based, no upfront cost).
Statistically, represented whistleblowers recover awards far more often than unrepresented ones, and reporting through the wrong channel — or second — can forfeit your reward entirely. Because whistleblower attorneys work on contingency, a consultation costs nothing.
Last verified: July 4, 2026 against official government sources. Program rules change — always confirm on the official site before filing.