Defense spending, at approximately $300 billion dollars, is one of the largest annual expenditures in the Government's budget. This explains why many False Claims Act and Qui Tam cases are directed against defense contractors.

United Technologies:
In March 1994, United Technologies agreed to pay $150 million as a result of a Qui Tam case brought by one of its former executives. United Technologies' Sikorsky Aircraft Division billed for work that was not performed in relation to a contract to provide helicopters. As a result of bringing the scheme to light, the relator earned $22.5 million.

Lucas Industries, P.C.: In October 1995, Lucas Industries agreed to settle a Qui Tam case filed by its former machinist, Frederick C. Copeland. Mr. Copeland informed the Government that Lucas failed to test military airplane parts and knowingly shipped defective parts to the Army, Navy and Air Force. As a result, Lucas paid the Government $88 million and Mr. Copeland earned $19.3 million.

Teledyne Industries:
In April 1994, Teledyne Industries agreed to pay $85 million to settle a Qui Tam suit alleging that it had sold faulty relays to the United States military. The two relators worked for Teledyne, one as a manager of quality control and the other as a testing laboratory manager. The relators earned a combined total of $18.5 million for uncovering Teledyne's scheme.

Litton Industries:
In July 1994, Litton Industries agreed to pay $82 million to settle a Qui Tam suit brought by one of its technical directors. The relator informed the Government that Litton was passing on unrelated costs for payment by the Government. The relator earned more than $12 million for informing the Government of the scheme.

General Electric:
General Electric agreed to pay civil damages of $59.5 million and another $16 in criminal fines and restitution after the manager of its overseas aircraft operations informed the Government that GE had improperly shifted costs from approved to non-approved projects and that a former GE executive had stolen several million dollars of Government funds. The relator in that case, Chester Walsh, earned over $13 million dollars for uncovering GE's schemes.

Teledyne Industries:
In April 1994, Teledyne Industries paid $27.5 million to settle a qui tam suit alleging that it inflated cost data which led to overpayment from the Government. The relator in that case, Mr. Kirchhoff, was a pricing specialist for Teledyne. He earned $6.46 million of the settlement.

Alliant Techsystems, Inc.:
In June 1995, Alliant Techsystems, Inc. agreed to pay $12 million to settle a Qui Tam suit brought by five relators who challenged Accudyne Corp.'s pricing on contracts with the United States Army to provide electrical parts for landmines. Accudyne is now owned by Alliant Techsystems. The relators received $2.64 million of the settlement.

General Electric:
In 1995, General Electric agreed to pay $7.18 million to settle a Qui Tam suit alleging that it failed to provide aircraft engines that met the Government's purchase specifications. The relator, Ian Johnson, received $1.7 million of the settlement.