*894 MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER AWARDING FEE TO RELATOR
[¶ 1] Plaintiff-Relator, Karen Johnson-Pochardt, moves for an order awarding her a relator’s fee of 25 percent of the proceeds from the settlement between the United States and defendants Rapid City-Regional Hospital, Dr. Larry P. Ebbert, and Oncology Associates. The United States opposes the motion and moves the court to award Johnson-Pochardt 16 percent of the proceeds.
BACKGROUND
[¶ 2] Johnson-Pochardt’s interest in cancer started when her close friend was diagnosed with the disease in 1982. Johnson-Pochardt became involved in Junior League and helped start the Race for the Cure, a fundraiser for, breast cancer research. She then sought employment in the area of cancer education and treatment. In 1991, she became the education coordinator at McKennan Hospital’s cancer center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Although education coordinator was an entry-level position, Johnson-Pochardt advanced to become director of the center by 1998. During the summer of 1996, she became the administrator of the Rapid City Regional Hospital (RCRH) Cancer Care Institute (CCI). The positions at McKennan and RCRH were among the top three cancer care administration positions in South Dakota.
[¶ 3] In the early 1990s, defendants Dr. Larry Ebbert and Oncology Associates (OA) entered into a lease arrangement with RCRH. Under the original three-year lease, Dr. Ebbert paid $19,000 per year to rent 400 square feet of space, while RCRH paid him a medical director fee of $20,000 per year, and allowed OA to use hospital services such as staff, equipment, and supplies. When the three-year lease expired, CCI moved into a new building and OA expanded. OA continued paying $19,000 per year in rent, and Dr. Ebbert continued to receive $20,000 per year in addition to the use of other hospital goods and services.
[¶ 4] After being the director of CCI for less than one year, Johnson-Pochardt spoke to Dr. Ebbert’s practice consultant in May 1997, about the possible illegality of the lease arrangement. Upon learning of Johnson-Pochardt’s concerns, Dr. Eb-bert wrote a letter to Johnson-Pochardt’s supervisor suggesting that Johnson-Po-chardt’s responsibilities be limited to public education and marketing. When her supervisor refused, both Johnson-Po-chardt and her supervisor sustained personal insults from Dr. Ebbert and his wife. During this time, Johnson-Pochardt was referred to as a “rising star” at RCRH, and the Joint Commission of Accredited Healthcare Organizations labeled her an exceptional department leader. Her department was similarly recognized as an exemplary department.
[¶ 5] Johnson-Pochardt then queried hospital managers, including RCRH’s CEO and vice president, whether RCRH was complying with the Stark Law and the Anti-Kickback statute because it did not appear that RCRH was receiving payment equal to the fair market value for the space and services. She was informed that a new lease was being negotiated. Because of her concern about the lease arrangement, Johnson-Pochardt personally analyzed the amount OA paid for its space and services in September of 1997. Her report concluded that OA paid $19,000 a year for renting space and receiving services that were actually worth $136,441.06.
[¶ 6] In 1999, Johnson-Pochardt spoke to an attorney who told her to continue to press RCRH to solve the problems inter *895 nally. If the illegalities persisted, the attorney advised her to present the case to the government. In 1998 and 1999, she sought and obtained written legal advice for RCRH from two national law firms that specialized in health care law for hospitals. In 2000, an outside consultant advised RCRH to “take swift action to correct the problems.” RCRH did not make any changes to its policies or the lease. In February 2000, Johnson-Poehardt presented RCRH’s CEO with a spreadsheet, indicating that RCRH had subsidized OA by over one million dollars. RCRH still took no action.
[¶ 7] In October of 2000, the CEO’s secretary told Johnson-Poehardt that she was removing files from the CEO’s office that related to the formation of CCI. Johnson-Pochardt informed her that she would take the files. The files revealed that since CCI’s founding, RCRH had intended to subsidize OA. Documents demonstrated that RCRH’s CEO had negotiated the lease and that its vice president had signed it. At that point, Johnson-Poehardt recognized the futility of further seeking internal solutions.
[¶ 8] Johnson-Poehardt then consulted two attorneys, David Lillehaug and Rex Hagg, in November 2000. After researching her allegations for four months, she commenced a qui tam action and prepared a detailed disclosure statement. The United States Attorney was served with the complaint in March 2001. Two Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSA) and representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) conducted a full-day interview of Johnson-Poehardt on April 10, 2001, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Johnson-Poehardt provided them with a multitude of documents and supplemented these documents two days later. These documents included forms indicating that OA was billing Medicare using a Place of Service Code 11, “office,” which constituted “upcoding” on the site of service. During the course of the next year and a half, Johnson-Po-ehardt and her attorneys continued to provide the government with information to assist the government’s investigation. Johnson-Poehardt filed an amended complaint on October 5, 2001.
[¶ 9] In February 2002, the qui tam complaint was revealed to RCRH and OA. The defendants hired attorneys from two of the largest firms in Minneapolis, Minnesota. OA’s attorneys sent a letter to the United States Attorney’s office in May of 2002, which argued that OA was not engaging in upcoding their bills by billing Medicare under the “office” code. In June, Johnson-Poehardt and her attorneys responded to the United States and provided detailed research and analysis of the violations alleged by Johnson-Poehardt and suggested legal strategies to challenge OA’s position. The government and its investigators interviewed Johnson-Po-ehardt several more times during 2002.
[¶ 10] Immediately after Johnson-Po-chardt’s initial notification to the government, the government began conducting an investigation to determine whether or not it should intervene. The United States filed its first ex parte motion for an extension of the time to intervene on June 1, 2001. The court granted an extension. The government made ten subsequent motions for an extension of time to intervene, filing its final motion for extension on December 18, 2002. An extension was granted each time. These extensions prolonged the action over two years.
[¶ 11] On August 7, 2002, the government informed Johnson-Poehardt and her attorneys that it had reached a settlement of $525,000 with OA. Settlement negotiations were scheduled to commence the following day, August 8, 2002, with RCRH. Johnson-Poehardt, Lillehaug, and Hagg *896 were present in' Minneapolis, Minnesota, for these negotiations. When the attorneys for RCRH objected to their presence, Johnson-Pochardt and her attorneys remained in a separate conference room and conferred periodically with. AUSA John Holm. The negotiations lasted all day. RCRH offered $500,000 and refused to increase its offer. After face-to-face negotiations broke off, telephonic negotiations between AUSA Holm and RCRH’s counsel continued. The United States then notified RCRH that it would intervene, rather than seek another extension of the seal. The parties then reached a settlement in principle in September of 2002.
[¶ 12] On December 18, 2002, the parties reached a written settlement in which RCRH agreed to pay the United States six million dollars. This is the largest recovery nationwide under the Stark Law and the largest settlement under the False Claims Act to date in the District of South Dakota. The government elected to intervene in the action the following day. The settlement occurred over two years after Johnson-Pochardt filed the qui tam action.
[¶ 13] Throughout this time, Johnson-Pochardt’s job and responsibilities changed dramatically. On October 1, 2001, she accepted a position as Director of Cancer Education and Standards at RCRH. She described the position as “at best, a lateral move.” This newly-created position prevented her direct involvement in the relationship between RCRH and the oncology physicians. After disclosing the complaint to RCRH in February 2002, Johnson-Po-chardt described working relationships as “correct but distant.” She reached a severance agreement with RCRH and resigned from her position on December 17, 2002. Her resignation from RCRH also required her to resign from numerous cancer-related boards and organizations.
[¶ 14] As director of CCI at RCRH, Johnson-Pochardt earned $78,300 in addition to full health benefits, life insurance, and a full retirement plan. Her salary and benefits totaled over $90,000 per year, which placed her in the top one percent of wage earners in South Dakota. There are only two other comparable positions in South Dakota; neither is located in Rapid City, and neither currently has an opening.
[¶ 15] A newspaper article printed in the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in December 2002, identified Johnson-Pochardt as the whistleblower and explained the defendants’ actions and the qui tam lawsuit. The article contained several quotes from Dr. Ebbert that negatively reflected Johnson-Pochardt’s actions and motivations. For instance, he stated, “This employee, had she not filed this [qui tam action], almost certainly would not be here [as director of CCI] anyway.” Dr. Ebbert subsequently wrote a letter to the editor of the Argus Leader, on December 30, 2002, criticizing the author of the story and Johnson-Pochardt. He stated that the lawsuit enabled Johnson-Pochardt and her attorneys to “line their own pockets.”
[¶ 16] Johnson-Pochardt also suffered significant effects in her personal life as a result of the two-year qui tam action. She and her husband closed their business in Rapid City to help their financial stability. Johnson-Pochardt avoided attending church and other social and community activities in which she was previously very active. Her marriage and other relationships suffered. She experienced several physical conditions as a result of stress. Furthermore, since the action was confidential and most documents were under seal for two years, Johnson-Pochardt was forced.to hide her actions from her family and friends. She could not speak candidly about either her actions or RCRH’s. All discussions with her attorneys were held at night, on weekends, or holidays to avoid detection by any co-workers at RCRH.
*897 [¶ 17] RCRH paid Johnson-Poehardt a severance fee upon her resignation in December 2002. Her attorneys received $75,000 from the defendants pursuant to 31 U.S.C. § 3730(d) of the False Claims Act, which requires the defendants to pay costs and attorney fees.
DISCUSSION
[¶ 18] 1. Background of the False Claims Act
[¶ 19] The False Claims Act states that a relator should receive between 15 percent and 25 percent of the proceeds of the action or settlement of the claim. 31 U.S.C. § 3730(d)(1). The amount is based on “the extent to which the person substantially contributed to the prosecution of the action.”
Id.
A 15 percent minimum share is usually considered a finder’s fee.
United States ex rel. Alderson v. Quorum Health Group Inc.,
[¶ 20] Congress allowed for increased rewards to “encourage assistance from the private citizenry that can make a significant impact on bolstering the Government’s fraud enforcement effort.” Id. at 1331 (quoting S.Rep. No. 99-345 at 8 (1986)). Thus, greater assistance results in greater rewards
In those cases where the person carefully develops all the facts and supporting documentation necessary to make the case required by law, and where that person continues to play an active and constructive role in the litigation that leads ultimately to a successful recovery to the United States Treasury, the court should award a percentage substantially above 15% and up to 25%.
Id.
at 1332 (quoting 132 Cong. Rec. H9382-03 (Oct. 7, 1986) (statement of Rep. Berman)). The maximum reward is reserved for relators who “actively and uniquely assist the government in the prosecution of the case.”
United States ex rel. Burr v. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Florida, Inc.,
[¶ 21] 2. Determining the Relator’s Share
[¶ 22] a. The Senate Factors
[¶ 23] When passing the False Claims Act, the Senate discussed factors to consider in determining the relator’s share, including the significance of the information provided by the relator, the relator’s contribution to the final outcome, and whether the government previously knew such information.
Id.
at 1332 (quoting S.Rep. No. 99-345, at 28 (1986)). The first factor, a contribution of significant information, encompasses the development of factual information, documentary evidence, and legal arguments.
Quorum Health,
[¶ 24] i. Contribution of Significant Information
[¶25] Because of her position as director of CCI throughout the action, Johnson-Pochardt was privy to documents, conversations, and information that she relayed to the government. She spent hours reading and copying documents after working a full day at the hospital. She initially gave the government a stack of documents, in chronological order, that was nearly one foot high.
See United States v. General Elec.,
[¶ 26] ii. Contribution to the Result
[¶ 27] The second Senate factor examines the contribution of the relator to the result of the action. This factor is discussed in detail in the Quorum Health decision. Id. There the relator revealed that the hospital where he worked routinely prepared inconsistent Medicare reimbursement cost reports. Id. at 1325. During the course of the action, the relator hired two law firms one had expertise in health care and the other in False Claims Act actions. Id. at 1326-27. The relator and his attorneys met with Department of Justice (DOJ) officials several months after filing the complaint. Id. at 1327. The relator prepared a cost analysis that detailed the hospital’s activities, and his attorneys distributed it to DOJ. Id. The relator hired an accounting firm that confirmed the hospital’s accounting irregularities, which formed the basis of the fraud claim. Id. When the government decided not to intervene, the relator and his attorneys persuaded the government to continue with the investigation. Id. at 1328. After six years, the government intervened and litigation ensued. Id. The relator’s attorneys remained active in trial preparation. Id. at 1329. When the action was successfully mediated, the relator and his attorneys participated in these negotiations. Id. at 1330.
[¶ 28] Like the relator in Quorum Health, Johnson-Pochardt and her attorneys made significant contributions to the result in this case. Information from Johnson-Pochardt essentially established the claims brought against the defendants. For two years, Johnson -Pochardt assisted the government in building a case against the defendants, and her persistence ultimately persuaded the government to intervene. Johnson-Pochardt hired two attorneys: local counsel who was familiar with RCRH, its decision makers, and employment law, and a former United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota, who had supervised several qui tam actions. Because the defendants hired two of the largest law firms in Minneapolis, Johnson-Pochardt’s choice of the former United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota was instrumental to the success of the settlement negotiations.
[¶ 29] Johnson-Pochardt personally analyzed figures to determine whether violations were occurring at RCRH. Her attorneys researched the type of damages recoverable under the Stark Law and whether treble damages were available for this claim under the False Claims Act. Both Johnson-Pochardt and her attorneys participated in the settlement negotiations and helped negotiate the sizable settlement.
See United States ex rel. Pedicone v. Mazak Corp.,
*899 [¶ 30] iii. Government’s Prior Knowledge of the Information
[¶ 31] The third factor looks at whether the government previously knew the information provided by the relator. There is no evidence that the government would have discovered the defendants’ actions in this case had Johnson-Pochardt not spoken out. Indeed, she spoke to RCRH personnel about the lease arrangement, she alerted Dr. Ebbert’s practice consultant about the possible violations, and she presented an analysis to both the CEO and vice president of RCRH. No one at RCRH came forward to correct the situation or report the violations Johnson-Pochardt singularly exposed RCRH’s actions.
See General Elec.,
[¶ 32] The government argues that it could have subpoenaed much of the information provided by Johnson-Pochardt “had we known of the alleged conduct.” But, in fact, the government had no knowledge of the alleged conduct, so it had no reason to .subpoena any documents. The government also states that “there was nothing of a unique nature in the documents that .the United States would have known only through the Relator.” Regardless of whether the information was •unique, the government only knew that such information existed because of the relator. Indeed, “the United States possessed no awareness from any source of [the defendant’s] practices.”
Quorum Health,
[¶ 33] b. DOJ Guidelines
[¶ 34] The Department of Justice has established internal criteria for calculating the relator’s share. The list consists of items to consider for a possible increase
1
or a possible decrease
2
in the percentage. Attorneys and courts frequently refer to the guidelines to determine the relator’s share, as they contain common sense com-
*900
siderations guided by experience.
Quorum Health,
[¶ 35] The guidelines, however, are not definitive factors for a court to follow; they are “merely internal standards and not federal regulations.”
Quorum Health,
fail to establish a coherent theory under which to determine the relator’s share. Notably, the guidelines, or at least some of their underlying premises, contradict one another.... The DOJ guidelines suffer other theoretical problems and are noticeably unhelpful. In effect, the DOJ guidelines are merely an indiscriminate enumeration of more or less obvious factors, unaccompanied by any indication of comparative weight and more useful as a checklist for negotiation than a rule of decision in adjudication.
Id. at 1334 n. 34. Several criteria are nonetheless useful considerations when determining the relator’s share. In this case, the court will refer to portions of the guidelines to highlight the reasoning behind the relator’s award.
[¶ 36] i. DOJ Guidelines (1) and (2) — Reporting Promptly and Notifying a Supervisor or the Government
[¶ 37] The government argues that Johnson-Pochardt should have reported the fraud earlier, since it took her four years to come forward. This delay, however, does not undermine the promptness of Johnson-Pochardt’s qui tarn suit. “It is very easy to fall into the trap of ‘should have.’ Lawyers particularly are prone to use that argument when after the benefit of excellent hindsight a different method of procedure can be devised.”
General Elec.,
[¶ 38] First, Johnson-Pochardt needed time to determine whether she actually believed the defendants were violating federal law. She is not a lawyer and was not familiar with the nuances of the False Claims Act, the Stark Law, or the Anti-Kickback statute. A false accusation would likely jeopardize her employment and prevent her from investigating further. It took her less than a year to alert RCRH personnel of the apparent violations. Second, Johnson-Pochardt needed to address these concerns within RCRH’s infrastructure prior to filing an action with the government. Thus, she spoke to RCRH managers, Dr. Ebbert’s practice consultant, and eventually, to RCRH’s CEO and vice president. Third, Johnson-Pochardt attempted to remedy the situation without filing an action by obtaining outside legal advice for RCRH and providing the information to RCRH. When none of these internal queries changed the practices, she filed a qui tarn action.
*901
[¶ 39] Her process of reporting the violations, which took four years, was completely reasonable. She followed the natural chain of command in hopes that RCRH would correct the matter without having to resort to a lawsuit. Furthermore, Johnson-Poehardt came forward while she was still employed by RCRH. This placed her at risk for both retaliation and termination.
See General Elec.,
[¶ 40] ii. DOJ Guidelines (3), (6), (7), (8), and (9) — Causing the Fraud to Stop; Providing Extensive, Firsthand Details, Government Had No Knowledge of Fraud; Substantial Assistance by Relator; Ability to Be a Good Witness
[¶ 41] Johnson-Pochardt’s qui tarn action caused the defendants to stop their illegal activities. As detailed in the previous section, Johnson-Poehardt provided extensive, first-hand details of the fraud to the government. The government had no previous knowledge of the fraud. Although Johnson-Poehardt did not have to testify, she was candid, honest, and helpful throughout all of her interviews with the government and other agencies. These factors further indicate the appropriateness of increasing her relator’s share.
[¶ 42] iii. DOJ Guideline (10) — Rela tor’s Counsel Substantially Assisted the Government
[¶ 43] Johnson-Pochardt’s attorneys substantially assisted the government’s investigation and the settlement negotiations.
Cf. United States v. Covington Tech. Co.,
[¶ 44] iv. DOJ Guideline (11) — Sup port and Cooperation with the Government
[¶ 45] Furthermore, Johnson-Poehardt and her attorneys continually supported and cooperated with the government’s investigation as detailed in the previous sections. The government argues that Johnson-Poehardt is entitled to less because she refused to consent to extend the time for the government to elect to intervene. The government claims these refusals forced it “to agree to shorter extensions ... and to waste its own time and this Court’s time on a large number of short extension requests, when a smaller number of extension requests would have been preferable.” Regardless of whether Johnson-Poehardt agreed to longer extensions *902 or whether the government had to file additional requests for shorter extensions, the action was pending, in confidence, for nearly two years. By statute, the government has sixty days to intervene. Opposing ten extensions spanning two years does not demonstrate resistance to the government’s investigation.
[¶ 46] During this entire time, Johnson-Pochardt was still employed at RCRH and daily faced discovery, retaliation, or possible termination. Furthermore, because the qui tam complaint was sealed, her attorneys were concerned that the defendants may destroy important documents if they did not receive notice of a lawsuit. Johnson-Pochardt also could not discuss any of her actions with her family or friends. It is therefore understandable that she would oppose further prolonging the action. In light of these considerations, her resistance to extensions of time will not reduce her award.
[¶ 47] In all other ways, Johnson-Po-chardt cooperated with the government. The previous sections examine the extent of Johnson-Pochardt and her attorneys’ support of and cooperation with the government. Their zealous support contributed to the government’s election to intervene and to the largest settlement ever obtained under the Stark Law. This factor supports an increase in Johnson-Pochardt’s share in the settlement proceeds.
Cf. Int’l Bus. Machs.,
[¶ 48] v. DOJ Guideline (14 )—Sub stantial Adverse Impact on Relator
[¶ 49] “[A] qui tam relator suffers substantial harm and the qui tam provisions of the FCA are intended to remedy that harm.”
United States v. NEC Corp.,
[¶ 50] The qui tam action wreaked havoc on Johnson-Pochardt’s life. She and her husband sold their business to ensure some financial stability. Her relationships with co-workers and her work environment deteriorated drastically. Ultimately, she lost a well-paying job in a field that she loved, in addition to losing full health benefits, life insurance, a retirement plan, and a position on numerous boards and organizations. Her chances of being hired to a similar position within South Dakota are greatly reduced.
See Mazak,
[¶ 51] The confidentiality of the proceedings made it impossible to speak openly with family and friends. Johnson-Pochardt avoided activities she valued, such as church and her class reunion.
See Quorum Health,
[¶ 52] vi. DOJ Guideline — Amount of Settlement
[¶ 53] The False Claims Act conditions the relator’s share on the extent of his or her substantial contribution, not on the amount ultimately recovered:
The recovery of a qui tam relator is intended to remedy the harm he suffered in several ways: by distancing the relator from the fraud and rewarding him for his involvement in the government’s fight against unlawful activity; by compensating the relator for any harm he suffered with respect to his employment; and by compensating the relator for the substantial time and expense involved in bringing a qui tam action.
NEC Corp.,
[¶ 54] In this case, the government argues that a 16 percent share in this sizable settlement will make Johnson-Pochardt a wealthy woman. It further cites her severance agreement with RCRH and the defendants’ payment of $75,000 attorney’s fees as evidence that both she and her attorneys have already received substantial compensation. While the court has taken these matters into consideration, it finds even more persuasive the substantial nature of Johnson-Poehardt’s and her attorneys’ persistent efforts, the quality and quantity of the information they provided, and their contributions to the settlement negotiations. Both Johnson-Pochardt and her attorneys deserve compensation that correlates to their significant contribution rather than a reduced amount due to the size of the settlement.
[¶ 55] vii. DOJ Guideline — Settle ment Rather Than Trial
[¶ 56] The False Claims Act does not explicitly reserve a maximum share in the recovery for cases that proceed to trial. 31 U.S.C. § 3730(d) (relevant inquiry is the significance of the relator’s contributions);
Northwest Nephrology Assoc.,
The argument that the maximum recovery should be reserved for those cases where substantial assistance on the part of the relators continues throughout discovery and trial rather than where settlement is achieved is compelling. Otherwise, if the maximum percentage was awarded in cases that settled, there would be no way to encourage and reward a relator who assists throughout complex pretrial proceedings and a lengthy trial:
*904
Covington Tech. Co.,
[¶ 57] Settlement negotiations themselves can be arduous, and the absence of a trial does not necessarily indicate either brevity or efficiency in the proceedings. Even in resolution short of trial, “[t]he exertion of the parties and their counsel [may be] scarcely less vigorous and combative than a trial of the same action.”
Quorum Health,
[¶ 58] The current case settled short of trial, indicating that Johnson-Pochardt should not receive . the full 25 percent share. The case did, however, languish for two years. During this time, Johnson-Pochardt continued to produce documents and was interviewed on several occasions. This mass production of documents and other information was akin to discovery. Circumstances, however, made this process more burdensome than typical discovery. Because the complaint was sealed to all parties for over a year, Johnson-Pochardt had to keep her actions confidential, which increased the difficulty of obtaining necessary documentation. She also had to single-handedly procure the evidence, a responsibility typically borne by the defendants. She carried out these actions, moreover, constantly anxious that the defendants would become aware of her actions and retaliate against her or destroy relevant documents. Although the successful settlement avoided a trial, Johnson-Pochardt did not avoid similar stress and actually bore additional burdens.
[¶ 59] The government’s numerous extensions prolonged the action for two years. This length of time resembles the time often needed to prepare for a trial; thus settlement did not necessarily resolve this case any more quickly. Moreover, the magnitude of the information Johnson Po-chardt provided and the contributions by her counsel to the settlement proceedings approximates the effort exerted during the process leading up to a trial. Indeed, their active role in the settlement negotiations restored the entire amount the government was defrauded.
Cf. Northwest Nephrology Assoc.,
[¶ 60] 3. The Relator’s Share
[¶ 61] Johnson Pochardt has fulfilled the factors enumerated by the Senate. She has also satisfied nearly every criteria recommended by the DOJ for increasing her share in the proceeds. Only one factor, resolving the case prior to trial, weighs against increasing her share. “Assessed against these criteria, [Johnson Pochardt] deserves a robust share of the settlement proceeds.”
Quorum Health,
[¶ 62] To summarize, Johnson Pochardt attempted to solve the fraud first by alerting RCRH staff, including RCRH’s CEO.
Cf. General Electric,
[¶ 63] The revelation of the defendants’ fraudulent actions and the settlement obtained came at great financial, emotional, and physical cost for Johnson Pochardt. Indeed, the action was “disruptive and divisive ... on [Johnson Pochardt] and [her] family, including the dispiriting financial hardship and the burden of the confidentiality obligation governing this case ... Only [her] dogged resolution, eventually supported by competent professionals and an occasionally reluctant government, resulted in the millions now available for distribution.”
Quorum Health,
CONCLUSION
[¶ 64] “[Johnson Pochardt] performed a service to the United States. Whistleblowers in general perform services to the United States.”
General Elec.,
[¶ 65] Accordingly, it is hereby
[¶ 66] ORDERED that under Plaintiffs Motion for Award of Realtor’s Share (Docket 63), Plaintiff Relator Karen Johnson Pochardt is awarded 24 percent of $6,525,000, or $1,566,000.
Notes
. Items to consider for a possible increase in the percentage include: (1) The relator reported the fraud promptly; (2) When he learned of the fraud, the relator tried to stop the fraud or reported it to a supervisor of the Government; (3) The qui tarn filing, or the ensuing investigation, caused the offender to halt the fraudulent practices; (4) The complaint warned the Government of a significant safety issue; (5) The complaint exposed a nationwide practice; (6) The relator provided extensive, first-hand details of the fraud to the Government; (7) The Government had no knowledge of the fraud; (8) The relator provided substantial assistance during the investigation and/or pretrial phases of the case; (9) At his deposition and/or trial, the relator was an excellent, credible witness; (10) The relator’s counsel provided substantial assistance to the Government; (11) The relator and his counsel supported and cooperated with the Government during the entire proceeding; (12) The case went to trial; (13) The FCA recovery was relatively small; (14) The filing of the complaint had a substantial adverse impact on the relator.
. Items to consider for a possible decrease in the percentage include: (1) The relator participated in the fraud; (2) The relator substantially delayed in reporting the fraud or filing the complaint; (3) The relator, or relator’s counsel, violated FCA procedures: (a) complaint served on defendant or not filed under *900 seal; (b) the relator publicized the case while it was under seal; (c) statement of material facts and evidence not provided. (4) The relator had little knowledge of the fraud or only suspicions; (5) The relator’s knowledge was based primarily on public information; (6) The relator learned of the fraud in the course of his Government employment; (7) The Government already knew of the fraud; (8) The relator, or relator’s counsel, did not provide any help after filing the complaint, hampered the Government's efforts in developing the case, or unreasonably opposed the Government’s position in litigation; (9) The case required a substantial effort by the Government to develop the facts to win the lawsuit; (10) The case settled shortly after the complaint was filed or with little need for discovery; (11) The FCA recovery was relatively large.