Four current and former Boeing employees have a total of four million reasons to celebrate. After they learned the aerospace giant submitted claims to the U.S. Air Force for erroneous maintenance charges on the C-17 Globemaster aircraft, the employees “blew the whistle.” Now, they will share an almost $4 million whistleblower reward after reporting Boeing to the government.

The acting assistant attorney general for the U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Division, Joyce R. Branda, said the settlement is proof that the Justice Department is watching. “Government contractors who seek illegal profit at the expense of taxpayers will face serious consequences.”

The case was brought under the False Claims Act, which allows people to report wrongdoing that costs the U.S. government money. In this case, the government joined the lawsuit, alleging that Boeing knowingly submitted bills for improper labor costs. Boeing has contracts with the Air Force for the maintenance of the C-17 Globemaster aircraft. The contracts calls for particular fees to be paid for work completed at Boeing’s Aerospace Support Center in San Antonio, Texas.

The Department of Justice agreed to a settlement of $23 million, $4 million split among the four whistleblowers. There was no liability assumed by Boeing in the settlement, only an agreement to pay the $23 million.

If you or someone you know suspects fraud against the government, it pays to speak with a skilled qui tam attorney who can help you decide if you have a case worth pursuing. If your claims can be justified and proven, you may be entitled to a reward for your participation in the case. Contact Begelman & Orlow for a free consultation about your whistleblower case.