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Attorney General Seeks Measure To Help Whistleblowers

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Attorney General Brian Frosh is encouraging lawmakers to pass legislation to encourage whistleblowers to alert the government about fraud by private contractors.

Frosh said Thursday the measure is his top priority of the legislative session.

The law would allow state and local employees, as well as others, to file lawsuits on behalf of governments. Whistleblowers would receive a portion of funds recovered through the litigation they initiate.

Frosh says the False Claims Act increases the state's resources to fight against fraud.

The office of the attorney general or local state's attorneys' offices would review cases and pursue those with the most merit.

Maryland currently has a limited version of the False Claims law. It applies to cases of Medicaid and health-care related fraud.

(Copyright 2015 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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