Hobbs v Verizon Qui Tam Whistleblower Lawsuit


Recently, a California appeals court dismissed the Hobbs v Verizon Qui Tam Whistleblower lawsuit (hobbs v verizon qui tam whistleblower lawsuit).  In the Hobbs v Verizon Qui Tam Whistleblower Lawsuit, the plaintiff made allegations that Verizon failed to collect sufficient taxes from its customers.

The Hobbs v Verizon Qui Tam Whistleblower lawsuit was filed against Verizon California, Inc. by the qui tam plaintiff for the Cities of Compton, Bell, Claremont, Inglewood and Pomona pursuant to the California False Claims Act (Gov. Code, § 12650, et seq.)

The Hobbs v Verizon qui tam whistleblower lawsuit alleged:

  1. Plaintiff and appellant Earl Hobbs1 filed this action against Verizon California, Inc. as a qui tam plaintiff for the Cities of Compton, Bell, Claremont, Inglewood and Pomona pursuant to the California False Claims Act (Gov. Code, § 12650, et seq.)
  2. based on Verizon’s alleged failure to collect sufficient taxes from its customers
  3. Verizon moved for judgment on the pleadings on the grounds that the court lacked jurisdiction under the False Claims Act because the claim was based on publicly disclosed information
  4. The trial court granted the motion and entered judgment in favor of Verizon
  5. On appeal, Hobbs argues that an exception to the “public disclosure bar” applies because he is the “original source” of the information on which the complaint’s allegations are based
  6. The False Claims Act’s public disclosure bar “is relaxed only if the qui tam plaintiff was an original source of the disclosure. (Gov. Code, § 12652,
    subd. (d)(3)(B).) . . . . To be an original source, a plaintiff must have ‘direct and independent knowledge of the information on which the allegations are based,’ have ‘voluntarily provided the information to the state or political subdivision before filing an action based on that information,’ and have furnished information that ‘provided the basis’ for the hearing that led to the public disclosure
  7. Appeals court agreed with the trial court and affirmed the trial court decision

For more information on Qui Tam Whistleblower lawsuits, click here.

We are here to help you recover federal and state government money from those unscrupulous individuals or companies that defraud our government. If you have original information about a possible violation of the federal securities laws that has occurred, is ongoing, or is about to occur you may be eligible to become a whistleblower.

We can help you submit this information anonymously so that your identity remains protected to the fullest extent possible. If you need help with providing whistleblower information anonymously (to the Department of Justice or The Office of the Whistleblower) about potential fraud (e.g., health care fraud, defense department contract fraud, securities fraud – governmental or non-governmental, contract fraud, investor fraud etc.), contact us.

The Program also prohibits retaliation by employers against employees who provide the DOJ with information about possible securities violations.



FREE CASE REVIEWContact Us

At the Gooch Law Firm, we pride ourselves on providing our clients reliable representation for even the most challenging cases.

If you need help with providing whistleblower information anonymously to the Department of Justice or The Office of the Whistleblower about potential fraud and would like your case evaluated, contact our office at 1.844.329.5955.


WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU PROTECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS