What is a qui tam relator?

A qui tam relator, also known as a whistleblower, is an individual who files a lawsuit on behalf of the government against a person or company that has defrauded the government. The term "qui tam" comes from a Latin phrase that means "he who sues for the king as well as for himself." These lawsuits are filed under the False Claims Act, which allows individuals to sue companies or individuals for committing fraud against the government and receive a portion of any money recovered as a reward. Qui tam relators can be anyone who has knowledge of the fraud, including current or former employees of the company or government agency involved. These lawsuits are an important tool for the government to recover funds and punish those who defraud taxpayers.