Section 5A False claims; definitions - Massachusetts Statutes

Section 5A. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meaning:-

“Claim”, any request or demand, whether pursuant to a contract or otherwise, for money or property which is made to an officer, employee, agent or other representative of the commonwealth, political subdivision thereof or to a contractor, subcontractor, grantee, or other person if the commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof provides any portion of the money or property which is requested or demanded, or if the commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof will reimburse directly or indirectly such contractor, subcontractor, grantee, or other person for any portion of the money or property which is requested or demanded.

“False claims law”, pursuant to sections 5B to 5O, inclusive.

“False claims action”, an action filed by the office of the attorney general or a relator pursuant to this section.

“Knowing and knowingly”, possessing actual knowledge of relevant information, acting with deliberate ignorance of the truth or falsity of the information or acting in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the information and no proof of specific intent to defraud is required.

“Original source”, an individual who has direct and independent knowledge of the information on which the allegations are based and has voluntarily provided the information to the attorney general, without public disclosure, before filing an action under this section which is based on such information.

“Person”, any natural person, corporation, partnership, association, trust or other business or legal entity.

“Political subdivision”, any city, town, county or other governmental entity authorized or created by state law, including public corporations and authorities.

“Relator”, an individual who brings an action under paragraph (2) of section 5C.